A district and sessions court in Islamabad has declared former adviser Shahzad Akbar a proclaimed offender. The decision came after he repeatedly failed to appear before the court despite several summons. The written order also directed authorities to issue an arrest warrant to ensure his appearance.
Case Origin and Allegations
The case involves statements that he allegedly made on Twitter. The National Counter Terrorism and Cybercrime Investigation Agency registered the case in July 2025. Officials later submitted the challan to the court. This submission formally presented the investigation details, along with the charges based on his online comments.
Although he received multiple notices, he did not attend any hearing. Therefore, the court moved ahead with the proclamation under the law.
Court’s Written Order and Its Impact
The magistrate issued a written order that declared him a proclaimed offender. This declaration now allows authorities to begin the process required to locate and arrest him. The move also signals a stricter approach toward individuals who evade court appearances in cybercrime-related cases.
Developments Linked to the Extradition Process
The court decision aligns with the recent initiation of the formal extradition process. Pakistan shared necessary documentation with the United Kingdom regarding his case. He has been living in the UK since April 2022. Officials presented the documents as part of the effort to bring him back to face the proceedings.
Background on Shahzad Akbar
Shahzad Akbar served as an adviser on interior and accountability. He previously headed the government’s Asset Recovery Unit. Moreover, he earlier worked as a Special Prosecutor with the National Accountability Bureau. His career involved work on high-profile corruption cases.
He left Pakistan shortly after the government changed in April 2022. His name had been added to the Exit Control List. However, the Islamabad High Court ordered its removal after ruling that the ban was unlawful. He then travelled abroad.
Passport and Legal Status
Recently, his passport renewal was refused after authorities blocked it. This added another layer to the legal action against him. The proclaimed offender status now compounds his existing legal challenges.
