Attack on Arshad Sharif, Imran Khan: Scotland Yard drops case against Nawaz, Maryam

LONDON: Scotland Yard has decided not to investigate former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz Sharif and their colleagues after allegations were made against them linking them to the killing of journalist Arshad Sharif in Kenya and a bullet attack on Imran Khan in Wazirabad around two years ago.

Scotland Yard has told Geo News its Counter Terrorism Command Unit has decided not to commence an investigation after establishing that there are no grounds to begin a formal investigation as the complainant Sayed Tasnim Haider didn’t produce evidence to back up his claims against the Sharifs and their colleagues Mian Saleem Raza, Nasir Mahmood, Zubair Gull and Rashid Nasrullah.

In November 2022, PMLN senior UK activist Sayed Tasnim Haider made headlines when he claimed he had evidence that Nawaz Sharif, Maryam, Nasir Mahmood, Mian Saleem Raza, Zubair Gull and Rashid Nasrullah were involved in hatching a murder plot against Arshad Sharif in London – that year on Eid Day 8th of July 2022. Responding to Haider’s allegations, the Metropolitan Police started what it called a “scoping exercise” to assess the allegations and examine the evidence. Tasnim Haider had made the allegations at a press conference in London with his solicitor Mahtab Anwar Aziz and both had attended the police station and media talks to stress there was enough evidence for the case linking the Sharifs and their colleagues. The police took the allegations so seriously that Scotland Yard’s Central West Command Unit passed the matter to its Counter Terrorism Command Unit – SO15.

After an assessment lasting nearly 18 months, the police have told Geo News it “will not be commencing an investigation here in the UK” due to lack of evidence.

The police confirmed that the “scoping exercise” has been completed and “it was determined that there were insufficient grounds upon which to launch an investigation here in the UK, and therefore no further action will be taken. The complainant has since been informed of this outcome.”

When told that the police have ended the assessment with no further action, Tasnim 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 are tied. They told me they can’t do anything in this case. I stress that Mian Saleem Raza, Nasir Mahmood and others were involved. I am now in touch with the Kenya government over the Arshad Sharif case.” Mahtab Aziz didn’t respond to questions.