Pakistan interior minister shot at after political rally

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s interior minister Ahsan Iqbal was shot at in a suspected assassination attempt on Sunday at a public meeting in Punjab province but was out of danger, officials said.

Ahsan Iqbal was shot at by a 21-year-old as he left a political rally in Narowal, his political constituency. The attacker, identified as Abid Hussain, was arrested after the incident. Local media reported he belonged to a religious party.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has condemned the attack, which comes as the country gears up for elections expected this summer.

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif described the incident as an “assassination attempt”. Iqbal’s son said that his father was out of danger.

The attacker was about to fire a second shot when he was apprehended, police said.