Pakistan interior minister survives assassination bid
islamabad — Pakistan’s Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal was wounded in an apparent assassination attempt on Sunday, officials said, an incident likely to heighten political tensions ahead of general elections expected in late July.
“Ahsan Iqbal was targeted and shot in the arm,” said Asim Khan, a special aide to the politician. “He is out of danger and being taken to a medical facility in Lahore. The attacker has been arrested.”
He said no more details were available. Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi condemned the attack, which comes as the country gears up for federal elections expected this summer.
Malik Ahmed Khan, a spokesman for the Punjab government, said Iqbal was attending a meeting in his constituency in Narowal district when he was shot in the right arm.
“The attacker was about to fire a second shot when police and people at the meeting overpowered him,” Khan said, adding that Iqbal was undergoing surgery. He confirmed the minister’s life was not in danger.
The attack on Iqbal comes as the ruling Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) struggles to regain its footing ahead of the coming general elections after a series of blows to its top leaders.
Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif was deposed by the Supreme
The attacker was about to fire a second shot when police and people at the meeting overpowered him
Malik Ahmed Khan, Punjab government spokesman
I strongly condemn the assassination attempt on my friend Ahsan Iqbal... just spoke to him and he is in high spirits Shahbaz Sharif, Chief Minister Punjab province
Court last year over graft allegations and has been banned from politics for life, while foreign minister Khawaja Asif was also removed by the Islamabad High Court late last month for violating election laws. Iqbal, who was touted as a potential prime minister when Sharif was ousted last July, is a US-educated lawmaker from a political family long associated with the PML-N.
Considered the brains behind the party’s development agenda, he previously headed the planning ministry. “Strongly condemn the assassination attempt on my friend Ahsan Iqbal... Just spoke to him & he is in high spirits,” tweeted Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif .
“Those who indulged in this heinous act will be brought to justice,” he said. “PMLN will not be browbeaten into submission... Prayers for quick recovery!!”
The elections — which are due to be only Pakistan’s second ever democratic transition — have not yet been called, but are widely expected to be held in late summer.
They will pit the PML-N against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party . Despite the setbacks facing the PML-N, the party has won a string of recent by-elections. —