Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal injured in assassination bid

NAROWAL/LAHORE: Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal was shot at and injured during a corner meeting in his constituency in Narowal on Sunday, Geo News reported.

The attacker, identified as Abid Hussain, shot at the interior minister from a distance of 15 yards as the latter was about to leave the venue in Tehsil Kanjrur, confirmed DPO Imran Kishwar.

The PML-N workers and law-enforcers overpowered the man after he opened fire on the minister, said Punjab government spokesperson Malik Ahmed Khan. He said the attacker was stopped from firing the second shot.

A 30-bore pistol was recovered from the attacker, who is about 20-22 years old, confirmed DPO Kishwar. Abid is reportedly a resident of Narowal. The minister was shifted to the area hospital immediately after the attack. His son Ahmed confirmed his father was conscious and out of danger.

“He is receiving initial medical treatment at the DHQ Hospital in Narowal,” Ahmed told Geo News, adding that his father would be shifted to Lahore for further treatment. State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry, in an exclusive conversation with Geo News, said an investigation was under way into the incident.

IGP Capt (retd) Arif Nawaz Khan summoned a report from Narowal DPO. Security agencies shifted the accused to an undisclosed place, said the senior police officials. MNA Pervaiz Malik termed the incident fortunate. He said by the grace of Allah Almighty, Ahsan Iqbal was out of danger.

According to a police report, seen by Reuters news agency, the shooter "showed his affiliation" to Tehreek-e-Labaik group. Labaik leader, Khadim Hussain Rizvi, condemned the attack in a statement and said his party had not authorised any of its workers to take up arms.

Khalid Khattak adds: Talking to The News, Punjab Minster for Health Khwaja Salman Rafique said the bullet piercing right arm had entered the abdomen of Ahsan Iqbal. He said the arm was fractured which was being operated upon, while no decision was yet made to remove the bullet. He said the team of doctors would decide what procedure to follow. He, however, added the condition of Ahsan Iqbal was out of danger.

Earlier, Ahsan Iqbal was shifted to Lahore by a helicopter. Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and other members of his cabinet received Ahsan Iqbal at old airport. He was shifted to Services Hospital where he was provided medical treatment.

A heavy contingent of police was deployed before the minister was brought to the hospital and all senior doctors were called by the hospital administration. Political leaders including PML-N ministers visited the Service Hospital and expressed anger and termed the incident unfortunate.

Talking to the media, Minister for Railways Khwaja Saad Rafique said the culture of abusing had turned into culture of torture and a peace-loving person like Ahsan Iqbal was targeted today. Terming the incident unfortunate, he said society needed tolerance, not bullets and added this culture was tarnishing the country’s image internationally. No one should be allowed to doubt others’ faith. “Do we need to seek certificate from others for our faith,” he questioned.

Kh Saad said it was unfortunate that the culture of intolerance and hatred was growing in the country and added the situation was being exploited by others. He added India had been alleging that Pakistan had been exporting extremism. What message we wanted to give to the world, he questioned.

The minister said there was dire need to promote the culture of dialogue in the country. Other PML-N leaders also visited the Services Hospital. Muhammad Anis add: The attack on Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal in Narowal was widely condemned on Sunday.

President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi condemned the attack on the minister. Abbasi issued directives to the Punjab IGP to submit a report on the incident. PTI Chairman Imran Khan, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari also condemned the incident and expressed the need to stop such incidents.

Asim Yasin adds: The PPP, meanwhile, condemned the incident of assassination attempt on interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal and said it is question mark over the country's security and asked for devising a comprehensive security strategy before the general election.

Former President and President Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians Asif Ali Zardari and Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari condemned the assassination attempt.

While Zardari expressed the need for stopping such incidents, Bilawal termed the bid as an attack on state of Pakistan. Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Khursheed Shah said the attack is a question mark over the country's security.

While senior leader of ANP Afrasyab Khattak in his tweet on social media network 'Twitter' tweets that, "Every citizen of the country is shocked and concerned at the incident of firing at Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal. Glad that he has survived the attack. Thoughts and prayers are with Ahsan Iqbal. Weaponising religion is a path to horrible disaster."

In the meanwhile, Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and deputy Speaker National Assembly Murtaza Javed Abbasi also termed the incident an attack on the entire State and not only on the Interior Minister. They said that the incident should be investigated and those responsible should be brought to the book.

COAS Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa condemned firing at interior minister. The army chief expressed best wishes for his early recovery. Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, Chief of the Air Staff, also condemned the attack. Also, ISPR Director-General Major General Asif Ghafoor sent a bouquet to the injured minister and prayed for his early recovery.

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz, Kh Asif and other PML-N leaders also condemned the attack. Shahbaz said those involved in the attack would be given exemplary punishment.

Leader of the opposition in Senate Sherry Rehman expressed regret at the incident. “The PTI condemns the attack on Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal,” Fawad Chaudhry tweeted. Opposition leader in National Assembly Khursheed Shah condemned the incident. “The attack on Ahsan Iqbal is a question mark on the country’s security,” he said. “A comprehensive security strategy is required before the elections,” he added.

National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Deputy Speaker Murtaza Javed Abbasi condemned the assassination attempt on the interior minister. They termed the incident an attack on the entire state and not only on the interior minister. They said the incident should be investigated and those responsible should be brought to book. They prayed to Almighty Allah for early recovery of Ahsan Iqbal and sympathised with his family.

Meanwhile, the attack on the interior minister was quickly condemned by the international community, with the French embassy, US ambassador David Hale, British High Commissioner Thomas Drew and UN coordinator Neil Buhne among those tweeting their support for his recovery. “The United States condemns the attack on Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal today. We wish him a speedy recovery,” said Ambassador David Hale.