Icarus
The Life and Death of the Abraaj Group
Published on 20. January 2022
Book
Paperback/Softback
368 pages
978-1-78590-733-3 (ISBN)
Description
In 2017, Arif Naqvi and The Abraaj Group were on the brink of changing the world of private equity. Abraaj was a pioneer of impact investing, it had helped transform communities and companies across the world by financing healthcare, education and clean energy projects, and it was about to close a new fund worth $6 billion. But then it all came crashing down.
On 10 April 2019, after landing at London Heathrow, Naqvi was arrested on fraud charges. He is facing extradition to the United States and a prison sentence of up to 291 years if he is found guilty.
The dominant media narrative has painted Naqvi as a thief and fraudster, the key man in an organised criminal conspiracy. But in this explosive book, which is based on extensive research and interviews, Brian Brivati investigates how things are not quite what they seem. Icarus explores how Abraaj found itself caught in the middle of a geopolitical war between the United States and China, and when it would not back down economic hitmen tried to wipe it out.
On 10 April 2019, after landing at London Heathrow, Naqvi was arrested on fraud charges. He is facing extradition to the United States and a prison sentence of up to 291 years if he is found guilty.
The dominant media narrative has painted Naqvi as a thief and fraudster, the key man in an organised criminal conspiracy. But in this explosive book, which is based on extensive research and interviews, Brian Brivati investigates how things are not quite what they seem. Icarus explores how Abraaj found itself caught in the middle of a geopolitical war between the United States and China, and when it would not back down economic hitmen tried to wipe it out.
Reviews / Votes
"If Abraaj had been allowed to sell its shares in K-Electric to Shanghai Electric, Arif Naqvi would be a free man today. There is more here than meets the eye. How and why was this deal blocked? This book sets out to answer those questions." - Shahid Abbasi, former Prime Minister of Pakistan "Doing good and making money should not be incompatible. Arif Naqvi was the leading advocate of how to use private equity to make a difference and his life and achievements deserve a scholarly and balanced assessment to counter the tabloid headlines. Icarus, based on an astonishing depth of research, provides just that." - David Charters, former diplomat turned investment banker and businessman and co-founder of the Beacon Prize for Philanthropy "Finally, a narrative worth waiting for" - Daily PakistanMore details
Person
Brian Brivati had a twenty-year academic career at the Institute of Contemporary British History and then Kingston University as professor of contemporary history, human rights and life writing. In 2009 he left academia to run the John Smith Trust and went on to become a special adviser and mentor to emerging leaders.
Icarus is his sixth book. His most recent was a profile and memoir of his colleague in Iraq for the past ten years, Dr
Ghassan Jawad, called The Last Optimist in Baghdad. He is currently working with former Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on his account of the Iraq war of liberation against Daesh, Impossible Victory: How Iraq Defeated ISIS.
Icarus is his sixth book. His most recent was a profile and memoir of his colleague in Iraq for the past ten years, Dr
Ghassan Jawad, called The Last Optimist in Baghdad. He is currently working with former Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on his account of the Iraq war of liberation against Daesh, Impossible Victory: How Iraq Defeated ISIS.