£190 Million Scandal
In a startling turn of events, revelations in the investigation report of the £190 million scandal case involving former Prime Minister Imran Khan and others have raised serious concerns. The records of correspondence with the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), maintained by the Asset Recovery Unit of the previous government, have mysteriously vanished, heightening suspicions.
The report discloses a meeting between real estate tycoon Malik Riaz, former Prime Minister Imran Khan, and former accountability adviser Shahzad Akbar before the £190 million settlement. According to PM House records, this meeting transpired on July 11, 2019.
However, the investigation report points out that the crucial records were held by Shahzad Akbar and Ziaul Mustafa Naseem, and their disappearance is seen as an attempt to conceal illicit activities. The Cabinet Division conducted an inquiry into this disappearance, holding Shahzad Akbar and Ziaul Mustafa Naseem responsible.
The correspondence with the British NCA was confirmed by Asset Recovery Unit Secretary Manzoor Kayani, who detailed letters to Usman Ahmed, the NCA’s country manager. The NCA, upon receiving the letters, froze UK bank accounts related to the case.
In an unexpected twist, a third letter dated April 18, 2019, provided unusual explanations to the NCA. Following Shahzad Akbar’s instructions, the NCA was informed that Malik Riaz had declared the 1 Hyde Park property and paid taxes as per Pakistani law, implying that no action could be taken in Pakistan. The report suggests that the British agency was misled, believing there was no investigation against Bahria Town.
Furthermore, the report indicates that Shahzad Akbar submitted the “Deed of Confidentiality” to the NCA on November 6, 2019, even before obtaining cabinet approval. The lack of a record for the summary’s collection raises additional concerns.
In response to these developments, an accountability court in Islamabad issued non-bailable arrest warrants for several individuals, including Shahzad Akbar, Malik Riaz, Zulfi Bukhari, Ahmed Ali Riaz, and Farhat Shehzadi. Shahzad Akbar had been declared a “proclaimed offender” in a civil court on December 2, heightening the legal complexities surrounding the £190 million scandal.
