ISLAMABAD: A recently surfaced confidentiality deed, signed by Mirza Shahzad Akbar, the head of the Asset Recovery Unit (ARU), has shed light on the Imran Khan government’s direct involvement in the controversial £190 million settlement between a prominent property tycoon and the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA).
The deed, which guarantees the secrecy of the settlement terms, contradicts repeated public denials by former Prime Minister Imran Khan and Shahzad Akbar, who previously claimed the deal was solely between the tycoon and the NCA. The involvement of Pakistan’s government has now raised questions about transparency and accountability in the case.
Key Revelations from the Deed of Confidentiality
- Government’s Role in Settlement Secrecy:
The deed specifies that the terms of the settlement and the associated Framework Agreement would remain confidential unless legally required. Clause 2.4 explicitly states that the Government of Pakistan (GoP) cannot disclose details without the consent of the other parties involved. - Supreme Court Registrar’s Account Mentioned:
The deed references the Supreme Court registrar’s bank account, linking it to the settlement process, as highlighted in an Accountability Court judgment. - Legal Obligations and Announcements:
While the government can disclose details under legal compulsion, clauses 2.5 and 2.6 outline strict conditions requiring prior consultation with other parties. The government is also empowered to manage public communications to counter or clarify any misstatements about the agreement. - Frequent Travel by Shahzad Akbar:
Shahzad Akbar, as head of the ARU, reportedly visited the UK 10 times during the NCA’s investigation. Records show overlaps between Akbar’s visits and key moments in the settlement process, suggesting deeper involvement. - Facilitation of Tycoon’s Travel:
Despite being on the Exit Control List (ECL), the property tycoon was allowed to travel abroad at least 20 times between 2019 and 2022 under the Khan government. This included an eight-week travel approval just days before the government’s ousting in March 2022.
Contradictions and Questions
The deed’s revelations challenge claims by Khan and Akbar that the government was uninvolved in the settlement. Instead, it highlights a structured framework in which the GoP played an active role in facilitating the agreement.
Furthermore, Akbar’s frequent travel to the UK during the investigation and the tycoon’s repeated departures raise questions about whether the government prioritized accountability or colluded to protect vested interests.
Response and Ongoing Scrutiny
Efforts to obtain comments from Akbar revealed delayed responses, while Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah stated he was unsure if the tycoon’s name had been removed from the ECL during Shahbaz Sharif’s tenure.
The developments have reignited debates about transparency, accountability, and political interference in high-profile financial settlements, leaving the government’s role in the NCA case under intense scrutiny.