NATIONAL

Assassination bid: Imran Khan names three persons for ‘attempt on his life’

By Staff Report
  • Says he is ready to sacrifice his life for real ‘freedom’
  • One killed, seven injured in gun attack on long march container

LAHORE/GUJRANWALA: Secretary General of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Asad Umar said the doctors have said that Imran Khan got injured but his condition is out of danger and quoted Imran Khan as saying “three persons including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif,  Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and Maj-Gen Faisal Naseer are responsible for the attack on him.”

Imran Khan is undergoing treatment at Shaukat Khanum Hospital where he was brought from Wazirabad.

“We are going to file application for registration of FIR against these three persons to the IG Police”, Asad Umar said in a video message released on social media after meeting with Imran Khan along with Aslam Iqbal at Shaukat Khanum Hospital in Lahore.

He said that Imran Khan called him and Aslam Iqbal for a meeting in the hospital. According to Asad Umar, “Imran Khan has given a message to the nation that three people, including Shehbaz Sharif, Rana Sanaullah and Major-Gen Faisal did all this and an FIR is going to be filed against these three persons.”

“The PTI chief said that he already had some information about a possible attack on his life and today’s unfortunate incident corroborated his suspicion,” Asad Umer quoted his party chief.

Asad Umar citied Imran Khan as repeatedly saying, “He was ready to give his life for the real freedom of the country.” “No one should doubt Imran Khan’s sacrifice for the country after this accident,” Umar added.

The PTI stalwart said two days ago Imran Khan was told that there was danger to his life but he said that they were out for “Jihad.” “The three named persons should be removed from their respective offices immediately, otherwise there will be a nationwide protest”, the PTI secretary general said.

In the video message Aslam Iqbal said the Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Ellahi has ordered formation of a JIT for thorough probe into the incident. He said they were waiting for the next call of Iman Khan.

They also quoted the PTI chief as saying that “the party would never stop the long march and would resume their journey towards Islamabad from Wazirabad on Friday (today).”

The attack, characterised by the PTI as “targeted”, triggered widespread condemnation from across the political divide.

Imran’s condition is stable

Dr Faisal Sultan said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan was admitted to Shaukat Khanum Hospital for medical treatment after being injured in a firing incident during PTI’s long march in Wazirabad, on Thursday.

Talking to media here, Dr Faisal Sultan, head of medical team constituted for treatment of Imran Khan, said the PTI chief’s condition was stable, adding that his blood pressure and other vital signs were normal. He said that Imran Khan went through emergency evaluation which included x-rays and scans, adding that some fragments of bullet were present in his legs and his ‘tibia’ bone of one leg was slightly chipped from right side.

He further told that Imran Khan had been taken to operation theatre where his detailed evaluation would be carried out. Dr Faisal said that after detailed evaluation, Imran Khan would be given surgical treatment for chipped tibia bone and removal of bullet fragments.

To a question, he said that another two injured were also shifted to Shaukat Khanum Hospital and they were being given medical treatment. He said that a detailed statement about Imran Khan’s condition would be issued later.

To another question, Dr Faisal said that surgeons, orthopedics and other relevant specialists were part of the medical team.

How incident occurred

It is to be noted that PTI Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan survived “an assassination attempt” with gunshot wounds in his thigh and leg on 7th day of the party march towards Islamabad at Allah Wala Chowk in Wazirabad Thursday afternoon.

Six other leaders of the party including Senator Faisal Javed, Ahmed Chattha, Chaudhry Yousuf, and workers Omer Meyer and Rashid also sustained gunshot wounds  while a party worker identified as Muazzam was killed in what is being described by the party as “targeted attack” on the PTI chief’s container

The Punjab police said the deceased has been identified as Muazzam Nawaz.

“It was a clear assassination attempt. Khan was hit but he’s stable. There was a lot of bleeding,” Fawad Chaudhry told Reuters. “If the shooter had not been stopped by people there, the entire PTI leadership would have been wiped out.”

The Punjab police confirmed that a party worker, who was in the city to welcome the caravan — which was there for the party’s second iteration of its “Azadi” march — was killed in the attack. Meanwhile, a suspect was also taken into custody from the site.

SHO among all officials of police station suspended

Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi took strong exception to leaking of the suspected attacker’s confessional statement after the gun attack on PTI chief during the long march.

Following Ch Pervaiz Elahi orders, the Punjab Inspector General (IG) of Police suspended the SHO along with all other officials of the respective police station. He also ordered disciplinary action against the irresponsible officials after the leaking of the suspect’s confessional statement.

The chief minister said in a statement that all mobile phones of the police station’s staffers were confiscated and they will be sent for forensic audit.

Pervaiz Elahi issued directives to hold an inquiry into the incident of the video leak of the suspected attacker. He directed the Punjab IGP to launch a probe to ascertain motives behind the gun attack.

The directives were issued in an emergency session chaired by the Punjab CM after the incident.

Attacker’s video statement

The assailant, who fired bullets at PTI Chairman Imran Khan during the party’s long march, has confessed to the crime, saying that the former premier was his only target.

In a video statement went viral on social media, the attacker said he was planning the assassination attempt ever since Imran left Lahore. “I tried my best to kill him. I wanted to kill Imran Khan only and no one else,” he added.

The attacker further said he reached Wazirabad on his motorbike alone, adding that he tried killing Imran because he was ‘misleading the people’ “I could not bear watching it so I tried to kill him,” the suspect said in the video statement.

However, it is interesting to note that the attack was made in Waziriabad while the confessional statement was recorded immediately and was released to media from a police station in Gujrat.

When asked if he had any accomplices, he said nobody was behind him and he performed the act at his own behest. The suspect said he had parked his bike at the shop of his maternal uncle.

Senator Javed, who was also wounded and had blood stains on his clothes, told the media from the hospital: “Several of our colleagues are wounded. We heard that one of them is dead.”

“It was a clear assassination attempt. Khan was hit but he’s stable. There was a lot of bleeding,” Fawad Chaudhry told Reuters. “If the shooter had not been stopped by people there, the entire PTI leadership would have been wiped out.”

Following the incident, Imran Khan was immediately shifted to a vehicle and evacuated to a hospital — in Lahore, according to Reuters — while other injured people were taken by ambulances to the nearby Wazirabad Institute of Cardiology.

According to rescue officials and PTI, ten people were injured due to the firing, including the PTI officials. Reports also said that one child was included in the injured people.

Footage on television showed an injured Imran Khan waving to supporters after reportedly being shot and then being carried to his bulletproof pickup truck.

According to details, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman was “slightly injured” in the attack which occurred on the seventh day of the protest march on Islamabad. His party said he was being shifted to Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital in Lahore.

Khan with later seen with a bandage on his foot. He was moved to another vehicle from his container truck, from where announcements were being made that he was safe. Some of the supporters from his party were also wounded, according to an announcement.

However, Imran Ismail, former Sindh governor, himself hurt, told Bol TV Khan has been shot “three to four times” in the leg. He said he was standing next to Khan when the incident took place. Ismail further said the suspected attacker was directly in front of the container and wielding an AK-47 assault rifle.

Fawad Chaudhry, senior vice president of the party, called the incident “100 percent an assassination attempt.”

PM, ministers condemn firing on Imran’s container; seek report

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday sought a report of the firing incident on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march container which left one person dead and eight others including former prime minister and PTI Chief Imran Khan injured.

The firing took place at Imran Khan’s container in which the PTI chief including Faisal Javed, Ahmed Nasir Chattha and other party leaders were injured at Allahwala Chowk in Wazirabad. They were immediately shifted to local hospital for medical assistance.

On the other hand, the prime minister strongly condemned the firing incident and also sought a report. PM Shehbaz also directed Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, Punjab IG Police Faisal Shahkar and the Punjab Chief Secretary to immediately report.

Later, in a tweet, Rana Sanaullah also condemned the attack on the PTI chairman and directed the chief secretary and IGP Punjab to submit a report of the incident.

“A report of the firing incident has also been sought from the federal security agencies,” the tweet read further.

Meanwhile, Federal Minister for planning and development Ahsan Iqbal has also condemned the incident. In his tweet, the minister said, “Thank God Imran Niazi is safe,” adding that there is no room for violence in politics.

He also urged the Punjab government to review the security arrangements.

Marriyum flays firing on Imran Khan

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb condemned firing at PTI Chairman Imran Khan in Gujranwala and demanded a thorough investigation into the incident.

“The incident is very unfortunate and condemnable. It should not be politicized and speculations on the incident must be avoided,” she said in a news statement.

Marriyum said the Punjab police as well as administration and other relevant departments should bring forth the facts after investigating the incident which occurred within the jurisdiction of Punjab government.

“We are waiting for the report of Punjab government over the incident,” she added.

Marriyum also prayed for early recovery of Senator Faisal Javed who also got injured during the incident.

PML-N Supremo, Maryam Nawaz condemn attack

Several political leaders, including PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and vice-president Maryam Nawaz, condemned the attack on PTI chairman Imran Khan during party’s long march.

Taking to his official Twitter account, PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif condemned the firing incident on Imran Khan and his companions. He also prayed for the recovery of those injured.

PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz also condemned the attack and prayed for the speedy recovery of the former premier and others injured.

Meanwhile, Federal Minister for planning and development Ahsan Iqbal has also condemned the incident. In his tweet, the minister said, “Thank God Imran Niazi is safe,” adding that there is no room for violence in politics.

PML-N MPA Hina Pervez Butt also called for the suspect’s arrest and immediate investigation.

Meanwhile, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari urged the authorities concerned to conduct a full investigation. He also prayed for the speedy recovery of the PTI Chairman.

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari also took to his to condemn the incident. “Praying for his swift recovery,” he wrote on Twitter.

In a statement, Chief Minister Balochistan Abdul Quddus Bizenjo denounced the firing on PTI leadership during the long march.

Wishing for the fast recovery of the injured, Bizenjo said the perpetrators would be brought to justice without delay.

Meanwhile, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of Pakistan  Army, said: “Firing incident during Long March near Gujranwala is highly condemnable. Sincere prayers for precious life lost and speedy recovery and well being of Chairman PTI Mr Imran Khan and all those injured in this unfortunate incident.”

 

 

 

More details to follow

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