Shahzad Akbar, advisor to Pakistani PM has resigned.

On Monday, January 24, 2022, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's accountability point man resigned, a move denounced by the opposition as a failure to implicate them in bogus corruption investigations. 

Shahzad Akbar, the Prime Minister's Adviser on Accountability and the Interior, announced his resignation on Twitter, but pledged to continue working for the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI).

"I truly hope that the accountability process continues under PM Imran's leadership, as promised in the PTI's manifesto." He stated, "I will remain linked with the party and continue to contribute as a member of the legal fraternity."

Mirza Shahzad Akbar tweets about his resignation

Mr. Akbar was a divisive character due to his bold statements at news conferences about suspected huge corruption by opposition leaders such as Shehbaz Sharif of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Asif Ali Zardari of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). 

Despite keeping both of them in jail for months in various instances, he was unable to prosecute them, which damaged PM Khan's "anti-sleaze" narrative, which had helped him win the federal elections in 2018. 

Mr. Khan, who has been in charge for roughly three and a half years, is under pressure to address public issues such as rising prices and to follow through on his vows to end colossal corruption by punishing corrupt lawmakers.

Mr. Akbar said that he stepped down voluntarily, although sources claim that Mr. Khan asked him to do so. According to a PTI leader, "the prime minister was dissatisfied with his performance and has been looking for a replacement for some time." 

Mr. Akbar was also asked to retire, according to ARY News, because of his poor performance. 

Mr. Akbar served as a deputy prosecutor for the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), an anti-corruption body, before being named Special Assistant Advisor on Accountability and Interior by Mr. Khan in August 2018. In July 2020, he was promoted to the position of adviser to the prime minister, with the same responsibilities.

Also read : Pakistan's security strategy aims for a century of peace with India