Nawaz Sharif, Asif Zardari, PM Shehbaz, Bilawal, Maryam Nawaz condemn attack on ex-PM Imran Khan
Rana Sanaullah says Punjab govt should constitute a JIT at the earliest to investigate the matter thoroughly
ISLAMABAD/LONDON/KARACHI ( Web News )
The assassination attempt on the former prime minister and Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan, which left him with a bullet injury to his right leg.
At about 4:25 PM on Thursday, chaotic scenes broke out near the PTI’s reception camp at Allahwala Chowk at Wazirabad in Gujranwala after gunshots were fired at Imran Khan’s container.
He sustained bullet injury on his leg and according to the police, the suspect who opened fire on Imran Khan’s container has been arrested. Several other people, including PTI leader Senator Faisal Javed Khan, also sustained injuries, while Gujranwala DHQ Hospital sources say that one person has lost his life. They added that the condition of others who got injured in stable condition and received treatment.
Among the wounded was Faisal Javed, a lawmaker from Tehreek-e-Insaf. In a video statement, with blood staining his clothes, Javed said Khan’s protest march to Islamabad would not stop. A bullet hit his shin, the PTI Vice President Fawad Chaudhry said. “Imran Khan and (party colleague) Faisal Javed received bullet wounds. A bullet hit IK’s shin. Both have been taken to hospital for treatment,” Chaudhry told a foreign news agency.
Fawad further said that three people were injured in the attack, including Senator Faisal Javed and Ahmad Chattha. Imran Khan with later seen with a bandage on his right leg, just above the foot, according to reports and a blurry image. He was moved to another vehicle from his container truck, from where announcements were being made that he was safe.
The President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi also condemned the “murderous attack” on Imran Khan and said that the incident is not only alarming but it is also cowardly. “Strongly condemn heinous assassination attempt on ex-PM of Pakistan. I have sought immediate reports from authorities. I pray for his speedy recovery & of all those injured. My condolences to family of deceased political worker who died during the incident,” the president tweeted.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari, prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz Sharif, among other leaders, condemned the incident in strongest words.
“I condemn the firing on Imran Khan and his associates and pray for the recovery of the injured,” tweeted Nawaz Sharif.
Taking to his Twitter account, PM Shehbaz Sharif stated: “I condemn the incident of firing on PTI Chairman Imran Khan in the strongest words. I have directed Interior Minister for an immediate report on the incident. I pray for the recovery and health of PTI chairman & other injured people.”
He further said that the federal government will extend all support necessary to the Punjab government in terms of security and investigation. “Violence should have no place in our country’s politics,” the premier wrote.
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also took to his Twitter handle to condemn the incident. “Praying for his swift recovery,” he wrote on Twitter.
Asif Ali Zardari said also decried the attack on Khan and said that prayed for his speedy recovery. “The matter should be thoroughly probed,” Zardari said.
PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz Shairf said: “I condemn the firing on Imran Khan and pray to Allah Almighty for the health of all the injured, including Khan.”
Meanwhile Interior Minister Rana SanaUllah Khan has said that Thursday’s unfortunate firing incident requires a high-level investigation as it is a matter of grave concern. Therefore, the Punjab government should constitute a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) at the earliest to investigate the matter thoroughly.
At about 4:25 PM on Thursday, chaotic scenes broke out near the PTI’s reception camp at Allahwala Chowk at Wazirabad in Gujranwala after gunshots were fired at Imran Khan’s container.
He sustained bullet injury on his leg and according to the police, the suspect who opened fire on Imran Khan’s container has been arrested. Several other people, including PTI leader Senator Faisal Javed Khan, also sustained injuries, while Gujranwala DHQ Hospital sources say that one person has lost his life. They added that the condition of others who got injured in stable condition and received treatment.
The President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi also condemned the “murderous attack” on Imran Khan and said that the incident is not only alarming but it is also cowardly. “Strongly condemn heinous assassination attempt on ex-PM of Pakistan. I have sought immediate reports from authorities. I pray for his speedy recovery & of all those injured. My condolences to family of deceased political worker who died during the incident,” the president tweeted.
Among the wounded was Faisal Javed, a lawmaker from Tehreek-e-Insaf. In a video statement, with blood staining his clothes, Javed said Khan’s protest march to Islamabad would not stop. A bullet hit his shin, the PTI Vice President Fawad Chaudhry said. “Imran Khan and (party colleague) Faisal Javed received bullet wounds. A bullet hit IK’s shin. Both have been taken to hospital for treatment,” Chaudhry told a foreign news agency.
Fawad further said that three people were injured in the attack, including Senator Faisal Javed and Ahmad Chattha. Imran Khan with later seen with a bandage on his right leg, just above the foot, according to reports and a blurry image. He was moved to another vehicle from his container truck, from where announcements were being made that he was safe.
In response to the incident, PTI’s Senior Vice President Shireen Mazari blamed Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan and said that he was the one to issue threats to the PTI chairman. “Rana Sana threatened to murder IK & today we saw him attempt that. He should be arrested on attempted murder as his public statement bear witness to same.” “The string pullers, the Establishment will also be held responsible by the nation for this murderous attack on Imran Khan,” Mazari tweeted.
Pakistan Army on Thursday strongly condemned firing incident on former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lieutenant General Babar Iftikhar said on Thursday.
In a statement issued by the media wing of the military, it extended sincere prayers for precious life lost and speedy recovery and wellbeing of Chairman PTI Imran Khan and all those injured in this unfortunate incident.