Court declares PTI leader Shahzad Akbar as proclaimed offender
A court in Islamabad declared Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Mirza Shahzad Akbar as a proclaimed offender as he failed to appear in the court in connection with a case filed against him in July 2025, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Friday.
The court order came a day after Pakistan formally forwarded to the UK extradition requests for former prime minister Imran Khan’s aide Shahzad Akbar and YouTuber Adil Raja.
Judicial Magistrate Mohammad Abbas Shah also issued a written order declaring Shahzad Akbar a proclaimed offender. The court also issued arrest warrants for Shahzad Akbar as he failed to appear in the court despite repeated reminders.
The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) had lodged a case against Shahzad Akbar for issuing anti-State statements on his Twitter account.
A challan in this regard was also submitted in the court.
On Thursday interior ministry formally initiated the extradition process for Shahzad Akbar and Adil Raja through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The development came as Islamabad sought the return of several individuals accused of running coordinated propaganda campaigns against Pakistan from abroad.
The move followed a meeting between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and British High Commissioner Jane Marriott, during which the two sides discussed bilateral relations, security cooperation, and the extradition of Pakistanis residing illegally in the United Kingdom.
Mohsin Naqvi handed over “solid evidence” against Shahzad Akbar and Adil Raja, involved in anti-Pakistan propaganda from abroad.
In the meeting, Mohsin Naqvi urged the UK to hand over Shahzad Akbar and Adil Raja without delay, stating that both men are wanted in Pakistan.
He said that while Pakistan fully supports freedom of expression, no country can allow the spread of malicious disinformation or defamatory content targeting its institutions.
The minister added that Pakistan would welcome enhanced British cooperation in returning those engaged in “anti-Pakistan propaganda” while residing abroad.
Interior Secretary Muhammad Khurram Agha and senior officials from the ministry were also present during the meeting.
Also Read: Pakistan asks Britain to hand over Shehzad Akbar, Adil Raja
Reporter: Hashir Ahsan Warraich