Al Jazeera News, Islamabad :
Pakistani Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal has been wounded after being shot in the shoulder by an unidentified attacker at an election rally in central Punjab province, according to officials.
Iqbal was shot on Sunday while sitting in his vehicle after having addressed the crowd gathered in his native Narowal district, Federal Minister Talal Chaudhry told local TV station Geo News.
Iqbal’s son Ahmad, also speaking to Geo News, said the interior minister was out of immediate danger.
“He is being treated at the district headquarters hospital in Narowal. He is conscious and out of danger,” said Ahmad Iqbal.
Television footage showed a prone Iqbal being wheeled into a government-run hospital following the attack.
Chaudhry said that at least one man had been arrested at the scene of the attack, and that investigations were ongoing.
Pakistani Prime Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s office issued a statement condemning the attack.
“The prime minister has called for immediate report into the incident from IG Police Punjab.”
Iqbal’s ruling PML-N party will complete its five-year tenure in government later this month, with the South Asian country due to hold a general parliamentary election in July.
Pakistani Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal has been wounded after being shot in the shoulder by an unidentified attacker at an election rally in central Punjab province, according to officials.
Iqbal was shot on Sunday while sitting in his vehicle after having addressed the crowd gathered in his native Narowal district, Federal Minister Talal Chaudhry told local TV station Geo News.
Iqbal’s son Ahmad, also speaking to Geo News, said the interior minister was out of immediate danger.
“He is being treated at the district headquarters hospital in Narowal. He is conscious and out of danger,” said Ahmad Iqbal.
Television footage showed a prone Iqbal being wheeled into a government-run hospital following the attack.
Chaudhry said that at least one man had been arrested at the scene of the attack, and that investigations were ongoing.
Pakistani Prime Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s office issued a statement condemning the attack.
“The prime minister has called for immediate report into the incident from IG Police Punjab.”
Iqbal’s ruling PML-N party will complete its five-year tenure in government later this month, with the South Asian country due to hold a general parliamentary election in July.
