Ahmad Ali

The case surrounding the 190 million pounds funds repatriation, which allegedly involved former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his close associate, Shehzad Akbar, reveals serious misconduct that has raised questions about the integrity of Pakistan’s political leadership. This scandal involves not just the mismanagement of state funds, but also a deliberate and malafide concealment of facts, resulting in significant loss to the national exchequer. Imran Khan, in collaboration with Shehzad Akbar, is accused of misleading the Federal Cabinet and engaging in actions that served personal interests at the expense of the state, thus betraying the trust of the public.

The crux of the matter lies in the repatriation of funds that were supposed to benefit the state of Pakistan. Instead, the money, totaling 190 million pounds, was illegally channeled to an account under the guise of the “State of Pakistan,” but it was ultimately intended for the liability of Bahria Town Karachi, a private real estate company owned by Malik Riaz Hussain. This maneuver was allegedly orchestrated by Imran Khan and Shehzad Akbar, who took active steps to conceal critical facts from the Federal Cabinet, ultimately misguiding the cabinet members about the true nature of the transaction.

The process began with a confidentiality deed presented by Shehzad Akbar to the Cabinet in December 2019. However, the deed had already been signed a month earlier, in November 2019, without the Cabinet’s knowledge. By the time the Cabinet reviewed the document, it was too late: the funds had already been transferred to a bank account that was purportedly for the “State of Pakistan,” but which, in reality, was designed to benefit Malik Riaz and his company, Bahria Town.

The concealment of such information, coupled with the active participation of Imran Khan and Shehzad Akbar, demonstrates the malafide intent behind this entire episode. They did not merely mislead the Cabinet; they intentionally withheld key details about the transactions and the intended beneficiaries, thus acting in a manner that was both deceitful and illegal. It is particularly troubling that the Cabinet was not informed about the existence of the account of the Registrar of the Supreme Court, which was used to channel these funds into the coffers of Bahria Town.

In exchange for these illicit actions, Malik Riaz allegedly provided personal benefits to Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi. According to reports, Malik Riaz donated land and a substantial sum of money to the Al Qadir University Trust, which was founded by Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi. The land, approximately 458 Kanals, along with a monetary donation of Rs. 285 million, was purportedly given to the trust under the guise of a charitable donation. This land was registered in the name of Farhat Shehzadi, also known as “Farah Gogi,” a close associate of the Imran Khan family. Such transfers not only suggest a personal benefit derived from the illegal actions but also point to a pattern of favoritism and corruption at the highest levels of government.

The role of Shehzad Akbar, as the key architect of this scheme, is particularly troubling. As the head of the Asset Recovery Unit (ARU), Akbar was responsible for ensuring that state funds were protected and returned to the national exchequer. However, his actions in facilitating the misappropriation of funds to Bahria Town indicate a gross misuse of authority.

Imran Khan, despite his role as the Prime Minister, failed to prevent this breach of trust, despite having full knowledge of the actions being taken. His participation in the approval process of this deceitful maneuver demonstrates that his leadership was not only ineffective but complicit in the entire affair. By concealing the truth from the Cabinet, he played a central role in facilitating the diversion of funds, which ultimately caused a loss of 190 million pounds to the national exchequer. The evidence suggests that Khan and Akbar were fully aware of the transactions and deliberately chose to mislead the Cabinet to protect their personal interests and those of their benefactor, Malik Riaz.

The fact that such a massive sum was funneled into private hands, rather than benefiting the people of Pakistan, reflects the disregard for public welfare that characterized the leadership of Imran Khan and Shehzad Akbar. Moreover, their actions raised serious questions about the transparency and accountability of the governance system under their watch.

It is essential for Pakistan’s political leadership to reflect on the consequences of such actions, not only in terms of the financial losses but also in the damage done to the credibility of public institutions. The conduct of Imran Khan, Shehzad Akbar, and their associates highlights the dangers of unchecked power and the importance of transparency in government dealings. In order to restore trust in public institutions, it is crucial that these actions are thoroughly investigated and that those responsible are held accountable. The case of the 190 million pounds repatriation scandal illustrates the harmful consequences of corruption, concealment, and misrepresentation. Imran Khan and Shehzad Akbar, through their malafide actions, misled the Cabinet, caused substantial financial losses, and used state power for personal gain. Such behavior is an abuse of authority and serves as a stark reminder of the need for stronger checks and balances to ensure that public officeholders act in the best interest of the people.

The Author is a research fellow at Epis Think-tank Germany and an intern at Kashmir institute of International relations.