Cambridge, December 26, 2025: Mirza Shahzad Akbar, former special assistant on accountability to ex-prime minister Imran Khan, was injured in a violent and targeted attack near his residence in Cambridge, United Kingdom, on Wednesday, British police and Akbar have confirmed.
Speaking to the media, Akbar rejected as fake an image of his injured face circulating on social media, saying it was generated using artificial intelligence and amounted to misinformation. He said the assailant attacked him only after confirming his identity, leaving him with a fractured nasal bone and other facial injuries.
Cambridge police have launched an investigation into the assault, terming it a targeted attack. Authorities are collecting forensic evidence and reviewing CCTV footage from the surrounding area. No arrests have been announced so far, but police have assured Akbar that efforts are under way to identify and apprehend the attacker and anyone who may have directed the assault.
In a statement shared on social media, Akbar said the attacker appeared to be either a construction worker or a waste collector, who confirmed his name before carrying out the attack. He described the incident as a “cowardly act” and said it would not intimidate him, adding that his determination had only grown stronger.
Akbar said he was unable to share CCTV footage or photographs related to the incident due to the ongoing police investigation, but expressed full confidence in the British legal system and its ability to deliver justice. He also appealed to authorities to ensure the safety of all individuals, regardless of political differences.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) condemned the assault, saying it highlighted growing concerns about the safety of political dissidents living in exile. Akbar has been residing in the UK since 2022, after leaving Pakistan following the ouster of the PTI government, and has remained an outspoken critic of corruption and alleged human rights violations.
This was not the first attack on Akbar since his relocation. In November 2023, he was targeted with an acidic substance outside his home in Hertfordshire, an incident he previously linked to pressure from Pakistani authorities.
