Shahzad Akbar denies selling watch from Toshakhana

ISLAMABAD: Mirza Shahzad Akbar, the former adviser to the prime minister on accountability, has distanced himself from the controversy surrounding the sale of a valuable clock, which was a gift to the former prime minister by the Saudi Crown Prince, from Toshakhana (the state gift repository).

Shahzad Akbar issued a statement denying any involvement or connection with Omar Farooq Zahoor, the buyer of the clock, or Farah Gogi, the alleged middleperson who facilitated the deal.

He said, “I have never met or spoken to Omar Farooq Zahoor, nor do I know Farah Gogi personally. This is a fabricated story.”

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He also told Geo News that Omar Farooq Zahoor had previously claimed that he had informed Zulfi Bukhari, the then special assistant to the prime minister, about his phone call with Farah Gogi.

“Now he is changing his story and saying that he informed me about it. This person is a fraudster who was born in Norway but lost his citizenship there due to multiple scams. He also cheated an elderly woman in Norway out of a large amount of money,” he alleged.

Shahzad Akbar challenged Geo News to contact the Norwegian government and expose Omar Farooq Zahoor’s fraud. He said, “If the clock story is based on the statements of this person, then I would say to the public, “Good luck.”

Omar Farooq Zahoor, who purchased the clock modeled on the Kaaba and gifted to the former prime minister, has reportedly expressed his willingness to appear before the court if summoned in the case.

He said that he would testify as a witness if the court requires his presence.