ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Claims by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) figure Shahzad Akbar regarding an alleged physical assault in the United Kingdom (UK) have raised serious questions, with critics calling the incident another attempt to fabricate a misleading narrative.
Shahzad Akbar has claimed that an unidentified individual punched him repeatedly in the face in the UK, resulting in a broken nose and hospitalization.
However, sources said that no independent verification, medical report, or video evidence has surfaced to support the claim so far.
This is not the first time Shahzad Akbar has made such allegations. Around a year and a half ago, he had claimed that an acid attack was carried out on him outside his residence in the UK.
At the time, he filed a formal complaint with British police and showed marks on his glasses as evidence. However, after a detailed investigation, UK authorities concluded that the alleged acid attack could not be substantiated, leading to the closure of the case.
Now, almost a year and a half later, as news of Mohsin Naqvi’s visit to the UK emerged and reports started circulating that some YouTubers and Vloggers affiliated with the PTI may return to Pakistan, and the government is making serious efforts in this regard, Shahzad Akbar has come forward with a new story.
It is also important to note that the corruption allegations on Shahzad Akbar from Malik Riaz are already under trial in Pakistan, and there is a video in this regard in which he is shown confessing to taking money for corruption.
Critics argue that the timing of the new assault claim, immediately following Mohsin Naqvi’s arrival in the UK, raises serious doubts.
Surprisingly, there is no video footage of this alleged attack, although Shahzad Akbar himself has said that he had been attacked with acid in the past.
In such a situation, it could have been expected that security cameras would be installed in or around his house to record any possible attack. But no footage has emerged, nor has any independent source confirmed the incident.
All these facts reinforce the impression that the PTI is creating a narrative based on a fabricated incident, the real purpose of which is only to prevent the return of fugitive YouTubers and Vloggers in the UK to Pakistan, and to try to avoid legal action by portraying themselves as the alleged victims.
