(Web Desk) – Pakistan’s interior ministry has formally initiated the extradition process for Shehzad Akbar and Adil Raja through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The development comes as Islamabad seeks the return of several individuals accused of running coordinated propaganda campaigns 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 repatriation of Pakistanis residing illegally in the United Kingdom.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi presented “solid evidence” against Shehzad Akbar and Adil Raja, allegedly involved in anti-Pakistan propaganda from abroad.
In the meeting, Mohsin Naqvi urged the UK to hand over Shehzad 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.
–Shahzad Akbar–
Mirza Shahzad Akbar is a Pakistani politician and barrister who served as Advisor to Prime Minister Imran Khan on Interior and Accountability in the capacity of a Federal Minister in the Cabinet, in office from August 2020. Before his appointment as advisor to the prime minister, Akbar served in the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) as a deputy prosecutor. Shahzad Akbar resigned as the PM’s Advisor in January 2022.
He completed his graduation in Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of London and a Master of Laws (LLM) from the University of Newcastle. Mirza Shahzad Akbar is co-founder of the Foundation for Fundamental Rights, a non-governmental organisation with a focus on fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan.
After serving as a consultant for the US Agency for International Development, he was declared persona non grata by the United States once he became one of the leading attorneys in Pakistan who were dealing with litigations against drone strikes on civilians by the United States in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).
–Adil Raja–
Major Adil Raja is a former Pakistan Army major, columnist, political commentator and security analyst. He was born in 1978. Major Adil Raja, his wife, Sabine Kiyani, now live in the UK. His father’s name is retired Major Umar Farooq Raja, who lives in Pakistan.
Major Adil Raja graduated from the Pakistan Military Academy with a bachelor’s degree in general science, military science, and international relations. He earned his master’s degree from the University of Peshawar.
