Akbar was responding to a question by a journalist, who had asked if Prime Minister Imran Khan was not responsible for giving relief then how did Nawaz manage to fly to London. The journalist also questioned the removal of PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz's name from Dawn Leaks.
Akbar said Maryam was given a clean chit because in Pakistani society, 'women are rarely implicated in criminal cases' out of respect, whereas the journalist could go and ask the 'agriculture department' regarding Nawaz Sharif.
It may be noted here that the term 'agriculture department' was coined during the 2018 election campaign to refer to the powerful military establishment.
After an outcry, Akbar took to Twitter to issue a clarification. He said his remarks didn't point towards any state institution. He also issued an apology for causing offence to any 'person or institution'.
According to Akbar, he meant PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz and Nawaz's doctor Dr Adnan when he used the term 'Agriculture department'. "These people fooled the nation into believing that Nawaz was sick by altering medical reports," he alleged.