The International Criminal Police Organisation, commonly known as Interpol, has formally concluded its investigation into British-Pakistani businessman Gibran Khan, clearing him of all accusations brought forward by Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). The allegations had connected Khan to an offshore company and former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) federal minister Moonis Elahi, suggesting illicit financial activities. However, after a thorough and independent review, Interpol found no credible evidence to support these claims.
It is worth noting that the FIA’s initial request for investigation was submitted over three years ago, following the collapse of PTI-led governments in Islamabad and Punjab. The agency sought Red Notices for both Moonis Elahi and Gibran Khan, accusing them of involvement in money laundering and other financial crimes through offshore entities. Despite these serious allegations, Interpol’s General Secretariat has now officially certified that Gibran Khan, aged 49, is not subject to any notices, diffusions, or criminal requests based on Pakistan’s submissions.
In a related development, Gibran Khan’s legal team vigorously contested the FIA’s assertions throughout the investigation. They emphasized that neither Khan nor the Elahi family ever held ownership or control over the offshore company in question. Furthermore, the claim that Khan’s previous tenure as CEO of a company implicated him in money laundering was also dismissed due to lack of evidence. This legal defense played a crucial role in dismantling the FIA’s case against him.
Responding to Interpol’s decision, Gibran Khan expressed relief and reiterated his stance that the allegations were politically motivated and entirely unfounded. He described the accusations as “bogus and defamatory,” highlighting the absurdity of linking him to a company established when he was only three years old. Khan stated, “I have never been involved in any wrongdoing. The authorities failed to prove anything because there was never anything to prove.” His remarks underline the long-standing nature of the dispute and the personal toll it has taken.
Gibran Khan is the son of Muhammad Naseer Khan, who served as Pakistan’s federal health minister during the tenure of former military ruler Pervez Musharraf. This background adds a layer of political significance to the case, which has been closely watched by observers in Pakistan and abroad. With Interpol’s closure of the investigation, the protracted legal battle initiated by Pakistani authorities against both Moonis Elahi and Gibran Khan has effectively collapsed due to insufficient evidence.
Meanwhile, a few months prior to this development, Interpol also terminated its nearly two-year-long inquiry into PTI leader Moonis Elahi. The investigation had included allegations related to a murder case registered in Gujrat in June 2023, when Elahi was in London. Pakistani authorities had accused Elahi of multiple offenses, including murder, money laundering, bribery, fraud, and abuse of authority, and had sought his extradition. However, these charges were also dismissed by Interpol after Elahi’s legal representatives demonstrated that the accusations were baseless and politically driven.
This series of decisions by Interpol highlights the challenges faced by Pakistani law enforcement agencies in substantiating high-profile corruption and criminal allegations against political figures and businessmen residing abroad. It also raises questions about the use of international law enforcement mechanisms in politically sensitive cases. For now, Gibran Khan’s name has been cleared, allowing him to move forward without the shadow of these accusations.
