Scotland Yard has concluded its investigation into the allegations against former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz Sharif, and their associates regarding the murder of journalist Arshad Sharif in Kenya and the gun attack on PTI founder Imran Khan in Wazirabad two years ago.
According to Scotland Yard, its Counter Terrorism Command Unit has decided not to proceed with an investigation.
This decision follows a thorough assessment which found insufficient grounds to commence a formal inquiry.
The complainant, Sayed Tasnim Haider, failed to provide evidence to substantiate his claims against Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz, and their associates, including Mian Saleem Raza, Nasir Mahmood, Zubair Gull, and Rashid Nasrullah.
In November 2022, Haider, a senior UK activist of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), made headlines by alleging that Nawaz Sharif and his associates were involved in plotting the murder of Arshad Sharif.
He claimed that the conspiracy was hatched in London and provided specific dates and details.
Responding to these allegations, the Metropolitan Police initiated a “scoping exercise” to evaluate the claims and examine the evidence.
Haider, along with his solicitor Mahtab Anwar Aziz, held a press conference in London, stressing that they had sufficient evidence to link Nawaz Sharif and his colleagues to the crime.
Due to the serious nature of the allegations and their international implications, the case was referred to Scotland Yard’s Counter Terrorism Command Unit (SO15).
After an 18-month assessment, Scotland Yard informed Geo News that no investigation would commence due to a lack of evidence.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police explained, “In November 2022, we received allegations from a complainant involving a conspiracy to murder in Pakistan and Kenya. Initially, these reports were examined by officers from the Central West Command Unit.”
However, due to the complexity of the claims, the case was transferred to our Counter Terrorism Command. Our specialist detectives conducted a comprehensive review of the allegations and the evidence presented to decide if a formal investigation was warranted.
The police confirmed that the “scoping exercise” has been completed and it was determined that there were insufficient grounds to launch an investigation in the UK. Consequently, no further action will be taken, and the complainant has been informed of this outcome.
The initial complaint, filed on November 5, 2022, alleged that Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz had ordered an attack on Imran Khan from London.
The complaint, submitted by solicitor Aziz of Central Chambers Law firm at Charing Police Station, did not result in any action due to a lack of evidence.
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan was shot and injured on November 1, 2022, when a suspect opened fire with an automatic pistol during the PTI’s ‘Haqeeqi Azadi’ march in Wazirabad.
On November 20, 2022, Haider and his solicitor held another press conference, asserting that they had provided evidence to the police on multiple occasions, including November 5, November 10, and November 19.
Haider claimed the plan to murder Arshad Sharif was orchestrated in London, and he was aware of the alleged planning to attack both Imran Khan and Arshad Sharif.
Upon learning that the police had closed the assessment with no further action, Haider told Geo News, “I am aware the case has been closed. I stand by what I said. The police here told me their hands were tied.”
They can’t do anything in this case. I stress that Mian Saleem Raza, Nasir Mahmood, and others were involved. All of them have a history.
Mian Saleem Raza originally blackmailed Judge Arshad Malik and got him on board. Others named in the case were involved, but the system is protecting them. I am now in touch with the Kenya government over the Arshad Sharif case.”
Solicitor Mahtab Aziz did not respond to questions regarding the matter.
