An ex-adviser to former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has been attacked with acid at his home in Royston.

Shahzad Akbar, who sought refuge in the UK after leading Pakistan’s efforts to combat corruption, was attacked at around 4.45pm on Sunday (November 26)

Senior Conservative MP David Davis has claimed the country’s feared intelligence agency, the ISI, carried out the attack.

Mr Akbar took to X - formerly Twitter - following the attack and said: "Last evening I was attacked at my address in England (where I am living in exile with my family) by unknown assailant/s who threw acidic liquid at me.

"Thankfully my wife and children are safe, however I got some injuries but nothing life-threatening.

"Police and emergency services arrived instantly and house being protected now. I will not be intimidated nor bow down to those who are doing this."

An ambulance took him to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, and he was discharged with acid burns to his arm.

Mr Akbar was appointed as head of the asset recovery unit, which Khan set up when he became prime minister in 2018, leading investigations into officials and politicians suspected of stealing millions and aiming to return the money to the Pakistani treasury.

He also became a minister in Khan’s cabinet, but stepped down in January last year, shortly before Khan was ousted as leader by the "establishment" - a term used to describe the alliance between the military, ISI and politicians.

After fleeing his home and arriving in the UK, he found work with two human rights organisations and settled in Royston, but continued to attack the "establishment" via social media.

In May 2023, the ISI kidnapped Mr Akbar’s brother, Murad, from his home in Islamabad, saying he would be held until Mr Akbar returned to Pakistan, but he was released on August 27.

He attempted to keep his Royston address a secret.

Herts police have launched an investigation and are believed to have found the bottle that had contained the acid.

"Police were contacted by the ambulance service just before 4.45pm on Sunday to reports of an assault in Royston," a spokesperson said.

"It is believed an acidic solution was used. A 44-year-old man received hospital treatment and has now been discharged.

"Safety of any victim is paramount and we believe this is an isolated incident. Active enquiries are underway."