Pakistan’s interior minister injured in assassination bid

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): Pakistan’s Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal has been wounded in an assassination attempt in the Narowal city of Punjab province.

The gun attack came on Sunday when the minister was addressing a corner meeting in his constituency, the Punjab police chief told reporters.  

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Arif Nawaz said a suspect had been arrested. The detainee has reportedly confessed to opening fire on the minister.

In the same district, his hometown, Ahsan Iqbal was attacked with a shoe during PML-N workers’ convention some two months back.

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.

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.

Later airlifted to the Services Hospital in Lahore, Iqbal is likely to undergo a surgery. Security has been boosted around the hospital.

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.

Following the successful surgery, the minister is said to be in stable condition.

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.

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