Screenshot from a video recording of Imran after the attack
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan was attacked by shooting his convoy as he led a protest march in the eastern city of Wazirabad.
Khan was shot in the leg and at least five other people were injured when the shots targeted their platform, a container towed by a truck.
There were no immediate official comments on the motive for the attack, which Khan’s allies said was an assassination attempt.
The protest march included early elections.
Khan, 70, led the march, which was supposed to end in the capital, Islamabad.
The former prime minister was seen transported to a Lahore hospital. A spokesperson for Khan’s PTI party said he was shot in the leg.
Yasmin Rashid, party leader and provincial health minister, said Khan was in stable condition. But he is likely to be operated on. Police released a video confession of an arrested man and said he attempted to kill the former prime minister. It is not clear under what circumstances the interview took place, but the police ask the man why he shot, and he replies: “He was misleading people. I wanted to kill him.” I tried to kill him.
Police released a video confession of a man they arrested, who they said tried to kill the former prime minister.
It is not clear under what circumstances the interview took place, but the police ask the man in the video why he shot and he replies: “He was misleading people. I wanted to kill him. I tried to kill him.”
Speaking to the BBC, Khan’s spokesman Rauf Hassan accused the Pakistani government of being “directly involved” in the attack, physically betrayed. “The BBC tried to contact the Pakistani government to comment on the allegations.
A video clip from the site shows Khan and his supporters on top of the container before the sound of gunfire is heard. Mr. Khan is then seen trying to dodge the bullets, while those around him try to protect him.
Another video shows Imran Khan being transported in a car after the shooting, as he was unconscious with a bandage on his leg.
A PTI member was also seen with a bandage on his face and bloodstained clothing, saying that people should pray for Khan and all the wounded.
photo released, RAHAT DAR / EPA-EFE / REX / Shutterstock
Imran Khan leads a protest march from Lahore to the capital, Islamabad
The current prime minister, Shahbaz Sharif, condemned the shooting and ordered an immediate investigation. President Arif Alvi said the incident was a “heinous murder attempt”.
Local journalist Zreez Bangash, who witnessed the attack, told the BBC: “It all started when Khan was driving the march and suddenly there were gunshots and by the time we all realized that there was someone with a 9mm gun, at that moment some shots had been fired that were fired. Unfortunately, it hit some PTI leaders and Khan, who was shot in the leg. He added: “The person was arrested and was taken by a party supporter who was standing next to him. Then he was arrested and taken away. ‘
Khan led a 7-day protest march to demand new elections. This is the second gear of its kind this year.
The government has repeatedly stated that it will hold elections next year, as planned.
Last month, Pakistan’s Electoral Commission disqualified Khan from holding any public office in what the former cricket star called a politically motivated decision.
Khan is accused of inaccurately publicizing the details of gifts from foreign dignitaries and the proceeds of their alleged sale. The gifts included Rolex watches, a ring and a pair of cufflinks.
The country of Pakistan has a long history of deadly political violence.
In the most famous case, former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was assassinated during a demonstration in 2007.
