<p>PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): <a href="/en/pakistan" class="glossify-link">Pakistan</a>’s Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal has been wounded in an assassination attempt in the Narowal city of Punjab province.</p>
<p>The gun attack came on Sunday when the minister was addressing a corner meeting in his constituency, the Punjab police chief told reporters. </p>
<p>Inspector General of Police (IGP) Arif Nawaz said a suspect had been arrested. The detainee has reportedly confessed to opening fire on the minister.</p>
<p>In the same district, his hometown, Ahsan Iqbal was attacked with a shoe during PML-N workers’ convention some two months back.</p>
<p>The assailant carried a 30-bore weapon, which he used to fire at Iqbal from a distance of 15 yards -- soon after the minister had finished his speech.</p>
<p>Iqbal was rushed to hospital suffered with bullet wounds in his right shoulder and abdomen, police said, adding the attacker was stopped firing a second shot at the target.</p>
<p>Later airlifted to the Services Hospital in Lahore, Iqbal is likely to undergo a surgery. Security has been boosted around the hospital.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi denounced the attack. Abbasi ordered the Punjab police chief to submit a report on the incident.</p>
<p>Following the successful surgery, the minister is said to be in stable condition.</p>
<p>Asif Ali Zardari, Bilawal Bhutto, and other PPP leaders also condemned the attack. "We have to put a stop to such incidents," said the PPP co-chairman.</p>
<p>mud</p>
