PTI’s Shahzad Akbar declared proclaimed offender

WEB DESK: A judicial magistrate in Islamabad has declared PTI leader Mirza Shahzad Akbar a proclaimed offender after repeated failures to appear before the court in a case related to controversial statements posted on social media.

In a written order issued by Judicial Magistrate Muhammad Abbas Shah, the court noted that Akbar had been summoned multiple times but did not attend any of the hearings. As a result, the magistrate formally declared him an absconder and also directed that arrest warrants be issued to ensure his production before the court.

According to court documents, the investigation agency had already submitted a challan (charge sheet) against Akbar. The case stems from remarks he allegedly made on X (formerly Twitter), which authorities say were inflammatory and in violation of relevant laws. The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) registered the case against him in July 2025.

Akbar, a former accountability adviser in the previous PTI government, has been living abroad for several months and has not responded publicly to the recent court developments.

The court has now instructed law enforcement agencies to execute the warrants and proceed under legal provisions applicable to proclaimed offenders. The next hearing is expected to focus on compliance with the arrest orders.

‘Request to extradite’

Yesterday Pakistan formally requested the United Kingdom to extradite Shehzad Akbar alongside Adil Raja, the Interior Ministry confirmed.

The development came during a meeting between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and British High Commissioner Jane Marriott in Islamabad, where the two discussed the repatriation of Pakistanis living illegally in the UK.

According to the ministry, Naqvi handed over the official extradition documents for Akbar and former serviceman-turned-YouTuber Major (retd) Raja, stating that both individuals are wanted in Pakistan and should be returned without delay. The minister stressed that no country can allow individuals abroad to spread misinformation or launch defamatory campaigns against the state.

The meeting also reviewed the status of the £190 million case, in which the passports of Malik Riaz, Ali Riaz, Shehzad Akbar and Farah Khan have already been blocked.

Naqvi said Pakistan welcomes British cooperation in bringing back those engaged in anti-state propaganda from overseas.