Illustration by Radia Durrani
Before it collapsed in 2019, the Dubai-based Abraaj was the world’s biggest private equity firm focused on emerging markets, with some $14 billion of assets under management. Its founder and chief executive, the charismatic Karachi-born Arif Naqvi now stands accused of unprecedented fraud and theft to the tune of $780 million. He is appealing an extradition order from London to the US, where he faces up to 291 years in jail. Two reporters associated with the Wall Street Journal,
who first broke the story of problems at Abraaj, have penned a book detailing their investigations. The book, published internationally on July 8, is based on official indictments, on Abraaj emails that became a part of the court record and interviews with over 150 people, including 70 who worked for Abraaj.
Many observers view Pakistan as a test case for China’s assertive overseas expansion plans. But sometimes, it is Chinese players who have had to adapt to Islamabad’s realities.