Govt Starts Extradition Process for Shahzad Akbar, Adil Raja in UK

The federal government of Pakistan has formally initiated the extradition proceedings for former special assistant to the prime minister Mirza Shahzad Akbar and Major (retd) Adil Raja from the United Kingdom, both of whom face legal cases in Pakistan.

The development was confirmed during a meeting between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and UK High Commissioner Jane Marriott, where Naqvi raised the issue of extraditing Pakistani nationals residing illegally in the UK.

Handing over the extradition documents, Naqvi stated that both individuals are “wanted in Pakistan” and therefore “should be immediately handed over [to Pakistani authorities].”

Addressing concerns over misinformation, the minister emphasized, “I fully believe in freedom of expression, but fake news is a problem for every country.” He presented evidence of Pakistani citizens living abroad who are allegedly involved in spreading propaganda, adding that “No country can allow slander and defamation of the state and institutions from abroad.” He also underlined that Pakistan would “welcome” the UK’s cooperation in extraditing those engaged in anti-Pakistan activities.

The Ministry of Interior has initiated the extradition process through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).

Last month, the Pakistan High Commission in London refused to renew Akbar’s passport. Akbar, a barrister by profession and former head of the government’s Asset Recovery Unit (ARU), has been living in exile in London since April 2022. He had been placed on the Exit Control List (ECL) but was able to leave Pakistan after the Islamabad High Court ruled the ban unlawful.

Previously, Akbar served as a key aide to former Prime Minister Imran Khan on interior and accountability matters and worked as a special prosecutor with NAB between 2004 and 2008, handling major corruption cases involving political figures including Benazir Bhutto, Asif Ali Zardari, and Shahbaz Sharif, now Pakistan’s sitting prime minister.

Meanwhile, Major (retd) Adil Raja, a fugitive YouTuber accused of anti-Pakistan activities on social media, was convicted under the Pakistan Army Act, 1952, for inciting sedition among army personnel, and for violating the Official Secrets Act, 1923, related to espionage and acts prejudicial to state security. Raja, now residing in the UK, received his sentence through a Field General Court Martial (FGCM) in 2023.

The extradition efforts mark a significant step by the Pakistani government to bring both individuals back to face legal proceedings in the country.