Gunman targets Imran Khan at rally, several hurt; Pakistan govt orders probe

According to reports, former Pakistan PM Imran Khan and some of his aides, including senator Faisal Javed Khan, sustained injuries in the firing.

Updated on: Nov 3, 2022, 20:09:26 IST

By HT News Desk

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Unidentified assailants opened fire on a container-mounted-truck carrying former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan at Wazirabad in the country's Punjab province.

Pakistan's former PM Imran Khan injured after an unidentified gunman opened fire during his protest march in Pakistan's Punjab province. (PTI)

Khan and some leaders of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), including senator Faisal Javed Khan, suffered injuries in the firing.

According to reports, Khan was shot in the shin at the rally in what his aides said was a “clear assassination attempt”.

The cricketing star-turned politician was immediately evacuated and rushed to a hospital where doctors said he was out of danger. He was shifted to a hospital in Lahore where doctors are "studying his injuries".

Also read | Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif 'severely condemns' gunfire at Imran Khan rally

Local media later showed pictures of Khan waving to the crowd after being evacuated from his vehicle following the shooting.

"He is in a stable condition," Raoof Hasan, a senior Khan aide was quoted as saying by . "This was an attempt to kill him, to assassinate him," he added.

Asad Umar, a senior PTI leader, told ARY News said six people were injured in the attack and two were seriously wounded, including local leader Ahmad Chatha.

"Khan is being taken to Lahore by road. He is not critical but he received a bullet injury," Umar said, adding that Khan's opponent couldn’t see Pakistan being transformed.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the shooting and ordered the interior ministry to conduct an investigation immediately. According to Dawn.com that cited a tweet from the Government of Pakistan’s official Twitter account, Sharif asked interior minister Rana Sanaullah to seek an immediate report on the incident from the IGP and chief secretary of Punjab.

The former PM, ousted from power earlier this year, has been leading the PTI rally towards capital Islamabad to demand snap elections from the Shahbaz Sharif-led government.

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