P.o days, Imran Khan’s mobile podium was a place of constant effervescence, with reporters and advisers hovering around the former Pakistani prime minister as he harangued his admirers on his “long walk” over Islamabad.
But on Friday morning, the truck-mounted container that was the main vehicle of this march, launched by Mr. Khan to push the government and snatch early elections, was nothing more than an empty shell behind a police cordon.
The bullets had pierced the top of the container, covered in bloodstains and draped over banners begging for Mr. Khan’s return to power.
On Thursday afternoon, an individual fired several shots at the container from the sidewalk, injuring Mr. Khan in the leg and at least ten other people.
“It’s a horrible tradition that we have (here),” said Osman Butt, a local trader who witnessed the scene, referring to Pakistan’s notorious political violence.
Immediately after exiting the container and getting into a car to drive to the hospital, Mr. Khan, 70, was however able to reassure his supporters about his health.
“Imran got out of the container soon after and made the victory sign, asking us to keep the faith and be patient,” said Muhammad Usman, a 28-year-old witness, torn between pride and concern.
The former cricket champion is recovering quietly in a Lahore hospital and should be able to leave during the day, according to a member of his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI, Pakistan Movement for Justice).
“Chaos and anarchy”
On Friday morning, young people crossed the streets of Wazirabad on motorcycles, waving PTI flags. Managing to drown out the noise of the engines with their voices, they sang: “Viva Imran Khan”.
Pakistan has been grappling with violent Islamic movements for decades and numerous political killings have marked the recent history of the country.
The attack on Imran Khan echoes what in 2007 cost the life of Benazir Bhutto, the first woman of the modern era to have led a Muslim country. A suicide bomber blew himself up near her vehicle as she greeted her supporters in Rawalpindi.
Since he was ousted from power in April on a no-confidence motion, Mr. Khan has repeatedly assured that his life was in danger.
Thursday’s attack, apparently carried out by a lone man who was immediately arrested, heightened tensions in the country, plunging into a serious political and economic crisis even before the end of Khan’s mandate, who came to power in 2018.
On Friday, some PTI supporters gathered at the crime scene, some dressed in the party colors.
“Such incidents will lead to chaos and anarchy,” warned one of them, Ahmad Khan, 25.
The premises were manned by the armed police and controlled by the scientific police. A police officer who requested anonymity told AFP that they were organizing a reenactment of the shooting.
“Our leader is fine. He is a brave, a man of steel who will soon join us here,” said another supporter, Qadir Khan Sulemankhel, 37.
“We are ready to make all the sacrifices required for our leader,” he added. “We are not demoralized.”
04/11/2022 10:43:14 – Wazirabad (Pakistan) (AFP) – © 2022 AFP
