Pakistan, July 13 -- Former Asset Recovery Unit (ARU) chief and ex-special assistant to the prime minister on accountability, Shehzad Akbar, has been identified as a central figure in the ongoing £190 million reference case, according to investigative sources. They alleged that Akbar acted as the mastermind behind an illegal scheme that caused significant financial losses to Pakistan.

As part of the investigation, it was revealed that Akbar signed a Deed of Confidentiality on November 6 2019, ahead of the formal approval of the ARU's restructuring and a key cabinet meeting - a move investigators cite as evidence of bad faith.

According to the findings, the £190 million - part of a civil settlement with the UK's National Crime ...