NAROWAL: Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal was shot and injured after addressing a rally in his constituency Narowal here on Sunday.
The assailant, Abid, shot at the interior minister at his right shoulder from a distance of 15 yards as he was sitting in his vehicle to leave the rally ground in Kanjrur, confirmed DPO Imran Kishwar.
Workers of Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N), standing near the assailant, caught hold of the man before handing him over to the authorities.
A 30-bore pistol was recovered from the arrested suspect, aged between 20-22 years, confirmed DPO Kishwar. Abid is reportedly a resident of Narowal.
Iqbal was shifted to the hospital immediately after the incident. His son, Ahmed, confirmed his father was conscious and out of danger.
“He is receiving initial medical treatment at DHQ Hospital in Narowal,” Ahmed told Geo News, adding that his father would be shifted to Lahore for further medical aid.
State Minister for Interior Tallal Chaudry, in an exclusive conversation with Geo News, said that suspect’s age was between 20 and 22 years. Chaudhry said an investigation was underway into the incident.
The Inspector General of Punjab Arif Nawaz took notice of the incident and summoned a report from Narowal DPO Kishwar. The police chief issued orders to take strict legal action against the suspect.
Political figures condemn incident
Pakistan Peoples Party Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari condemned the attack on the interior minister. “We have to put a stop to such incidents,” said Zardari.
“PTI strongly condemns [the] attack on Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal,” Fawad Chaudhry tweeted.
PPP leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Sherry Rehman expressed regret at the incident.
