After thorough deliberation, Scotland Yard has decided not to pursue an investigation against former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz, and their associates. The decision follows an 18-month assessment by the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command Unit, which concluded that there was insufficient evidence to support the allegations made by Tasneem Haider Shah. Shah had accused the Sharifs and their colleagues of orchestrating the murder of journalist Arshad Sharif in Kenya and a gun attack on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan in Wazirabad.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson stated, “In November 2022, the Met Police received reports related to allegations of conspiracy to murder in Pakistan and Kenya. The matter was reviewed by specialist detectives who determined there were insufficient grounds to launch an investigation.” This conclusion comes after extensive reviews and meetings with Shah and his solicitor, Mahtab Anwar Aziz.
The Allegations and Response
In November 2022, Tasneem Haider Shah, a senior PML-N activist in the UK, claimed he had evidence implicating the Sharifs and their associates in plotting Arshad Sharif’s murder in London. Shah also alleged that the Sharifs were behind an attack on Imran Khan, which occurred during a PTI march in Wazirabad on November 1, 2022. Despite these serious accusations, Shah failed to provide adequate evidence to support his claims, leading Scotland Yard to conclude its assessment without further action.
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Shah, who had been vocal about his allegations through press conferences and police meetings, insisted that there was enough evidence for an investigation. He claimed that the attack on Arshad Sharif was planned in London and that he was asked to find shooters in Kenya. Despite the police’s decision to close the case, Shah maintains his allegations and is now in contact with the Kenyan government regarding the Arshad Sharif case.
Impact on Political Climate
The conclusion of this investigation comes at a significant time for Pakistani politics. Nawaz Sharif and his family have long been influential figures in Pakistan, and these allegations had added a layer of controversy to their political narrative. The decision by Scotland Yard not to pursue the investigation may alleviate some of the political pressure on the Sharif family, but the accusations have already stirred public and political discourse.
The Metropolitan Police’s rigorous process, which included a “scoping exercise” and the involvement of the Counter Terrorism Command Unit, underscores the importance of substantial evidence in pursuing such serious claims. As the political landscape in Pakistan continues to evolve, this decision by Scotland Yard will likely remain a point of reference in discussions about legal standards and political accountability.