By Muhammad Luqman
Pakistan’s Minister for Interior Affairs, Ahsan Iqbal was injured after a young man opened fire at him during a public meeting in Kanjroor village near his home town Narowal in Punjab province . He has been airlifted to eastern city of Lahore for treatment.
The attack on interior minister at a time when all the political parties in Pakistan are engaged in political campaign ahead of July general elections, has been a source of grave concerns for the politicians on both sides of the divide.
Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has strongly condemned the assassination attempt.The premier called for an immediate report into the incident from IG Police Punjab. Former Prime Minister, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Cricketer-turned-politician and Chairman PTI Imran Khan, Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and leaders of other political parties have also condemned the incident.
Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa has also condemned the attack on Iqbal and expressed best wishes for his early recovery, said DG ISPR Maj-Gen Asif Ghafoor in a tweet.
According to media reports, the senior leader of the ruling party, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was attacked when he was leaving the meeting. The bullet reportedly hit the right shoulder of 59-year old minister who is also looking after US$ 60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project. He was soon rushed to the hospital amid tight security. According to police, they have arrested the assailant, Abid Hussain, 21, a resident of the Shakargarh , the town located on India-Pakistan border. The police and other law enforcing agencies have launched an investigation into the attack .
As the initial investigations shows that the accused has confessed for firing at the minister for religious reasons.
According to the Punjab government spokesperson, Ahsan Iqbal is out of danger.
(This is developing story)
