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NAROWAL/Lahore - Interior Minister and top PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal was wounded in an apparent assassination attack yesterday, ahead of nationwide elections due in July, bringing more volatility to an already charged atmosphere.

He was preparing to leave a public meeting in his home district Narowal in the evening when a young man named Abid Hussain fired a bullet which landed in Ahsan’s abdomen, injuring his right arm on the way.

Police arrested the suspect, said to be in his early 20s, who shot the minister at close range with a 30-bore pistol but was overpowered before he could fire more bullets.

After initial medical assistance at Narowal District Headquarters Hospital, the minister was airlifted to Lahore where doctors at Services Hospital removed the bullet and stated his condition to be stable.

“The attacker was about to fire a second shot when police and people in the meeting overpowered him,” said Malik Ahmed Khan, a spokesman for the Punjab government. He confirmed that Ahsan’s life was not in danger.

Video footage of his arrival in Lahore showed him being lifted from a helicopter on a stretcher, his eyes open as he responded to questions.

“He’s stable... he’s ok,” said a hospital official, who asked not to be named.

In initial probe, the arrested suspect claimed to be belonging to a religious organisation Tehreek Labaik Ya Rasul Allah (TLYR) and stated ruling party’s last year bid to change a law about the finality of the prophet-hood as the motive. But TLYR condemned the attack.

Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif – who also heads the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz – suspected a greater sinister behind the gory incident that follows a series of blows to the ruling party.

Ahsan Iqbal, who was touted as a potential prime minister when Nawaz Sharif was ousted last July, is a US-educated lawmaker from a political family long associated with the PML-N. Considered the brains behind the party’s development agenda, he previously headed up the planning ministry.

The brazen attack, which came in Kanjrur tehsil, prompted protests in his native city Narowal where supporters of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz burnt tyres and blocked roads in protest.

The shooting also caused widespread shock on social media, prompted a race for breaking news between the national TV channels and drew quick national and international condemnations.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, opposition leaders Imran Khan and Bilawal Bhutto and almost all other political figures condemned the incident and wished Ahsan early recovery. Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa also condemned the attack.

The French embassy, US ambassador David Hale, British High Commissioner Thomas Drew and UN coordinator Neil Buhne were also among those tweeting their support for Ahsan’s recovery.

Suspicions about suspect’s claim

Though Ahsan Iqbal earlier in the day also held a meeting with a Christian group, a police source said, “We are not sure whether it [attack] has got anything to do with the [stated] motive... We will know only after investigation of the attacker.”

Describing the assault an “assassination attempt”, CM Shehbaz Sharif said, “[He] just spoke to him [Ahsan] and he is in high spirits.” He tweeted that he was personally overseeing the investigation and vowed to bring “those who indulged in this heinous act” to justice.

“PML-N will not be browbeaten into submission,” said Shehbaz, dropping a hint that the shooting may be a work of the anti-PML-N forces whom his brother and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has lately been dubbing as ‘aliens’.

The party, now being headed by Shehbaz, has been struggling to find its footing since Nawaz was ousted by the Supreme Court over graft allegations last summer. He, along with his children, is now facing corruption cases in accountability court, and believes that military establishment is behind all their troubles.

Besides him, one of his close aides and former foreign minister Khawaja Asif too has been banned from politics for life – ahead of the polls that will pit the PML-N against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, being led by former cricket star Imran Khan.

Though the besieged leader would never name the army explicitly, he and his supporters believe they are victims of a conspiracy to reduce their power.

PML-N lawmaker Maiza Hameed told Geo News that the shooting was an attempt to “weaken democracy” ahead of the upcoming elections.

Nawaz Sharif’s own political speeches show that he believes his party is being squeezed from all sides to prevent it from winning the next elections or, at least, from securing a heavy mandate.

Despite the setbacks, the PML-N has won a string of recent by-elections, proving it will likely remain a force to reckon with in the vote.

TLYR

The TLYR, which claims to be a defender of the honour of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW), announced its disassociation from the attacker and strongly condemned the shooting at the minister.

Rising from ashes of Mumtaz Qadri – who was hanged for assassinating ex-Punjab governor Salmaan Taseer – Tehreek-e-Labaik has emerged as a strong pressure group and it has caused quite a stir in the national politics during last few years under the leadership of its firebrand leader Khadim Hussain Rizvi.

Last year Rizvi spearheaded a rally on the issue of changes in an electoral declaration about the finality of the prophethood. The TLYR, along with some other religious groups, then staged a weeks-long sit-in on a key bridge connecting the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, bringing miseries to the commuters.

The sit-in ended after an agreement brokered by the military which made the government surrender to the demands of the agitators. The apparent grossness and illegality of the agreement made the Supreme Court to take a suo moto notice on the issue.</s>KARACHI, Pakistan — Pakistan’s interior minister narrowly escaped an apparent assassination attempt Sunday evening when a gunman slipped into a small crowd of supporters and colleagues surrounding the minister, firing a shot that pierced his right shoulder.

The attacker was quickly apprehended and the minister, Ahsan Iqbal, taken to a hospital; government officials said he was in stable condition. The shooting, which took place in Punjab Province, left Pakistanis on edge as the country prepares to hold general elections as early as July.

Although a motive for the shooting has yet to be declared, Mr. Iqbal is a staunch supporter of Pakistan’s religious minorities, often considered heretics by the country’s radicalized offshoots of Sunni Islam. Mr. Iqbal met with religious minorities across Pakistan in recent weeks, encouraging them to go to the polls and promising to provide security to nervous constituents.

In the end, Mr. Iqbal’s own security detail couldn’t give him the protection he promised religious minorities, who are frequent victims of terrorist attacks as well as harassment and discrimination by the authorities. This past week, the minister met with Hazaras, who practice Shiite Islam, listening to their complaints of widespread discrimination at the hands of the police forces that Mr. Iqbal leads.</s>Pakistani officials say a gunman has opened fire on the country’s interior minister after a public meeting, wounding him in shoulder.

Talal Chaudhry, the Minister of State for Interior Affairs, says Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal was returning to his car after a meeting in Narowal district Sunday when he came under attack.

Senior police officer Imran Kishwar said the attacker was immediately arrested, and that the interior minister was out of danger. He said the 22-year-old gunman fired at the minister at close range. His motivation was not immediately known.</s>Ahsan Iqbal, 59, sustained a bullet wound on his right shoulder.

Pakistan's interior minister Ahsan Iqbal was on Sunday shot at and injured in a suspected assassination bid after he addressed a rally in Punjab province, police said. (Photo: File)

Lahore: Pakistan's interior minister Ahsan Iqbal was on Sunday shot at and injured in a suspected assassination bid after he addressed a rally in Punjab province, police said.

Iqbal, 59, sustained a bullet wound on his right shoulder. He was attending a corner meeting in Narowal's Kanjrur Tehsil when the incident occurred, the police was quoted as saying by Dawn News. He was shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital, the report said.

Family sources confirmed that the interior minister is being shifted to Lahore.

The suspect has reportedly been taken into custody, according to police.

District Police Officer Imran Kishwar said that the attacker used a 30-bore pistol to fire at Iqbal from a distance of around 18 metres.

"One of the shooters has been arrested and (is) being interrogated by the police," Punjab government said in a Twitter message.

Confirming the incident, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Tallal Chaudhry said Iqbal was out of danger.

The arrested suspect is 20-22 years old, he added.

Corner meetings become common as elections come close with politicians interacting with supporters and common people.</s>LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) - A top Pakistani health official says the country's interior minister is stable after undergoing two surgeries following an attack by a gunman the previous day.

Dr. Mohammad Ameer, head of a Lahore hospital where the minister is being treated, says the bullet had first fractured Ahsan Iqbal's right arm, then ricocheted and lodged in his abdomen.

The shooting happened after Iqbal was returning to his car following a meeting on Sunday in his constituency, the Narowal district. The gunman, identified as Abid Hussain, was arrested on the spot. His motive wasn't immediately known. He has been linked to a religious group that rallied in Islamabad in January.

An ambulance is parked outside accident and emergency department of a hospital, where Pakistan's injured Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal being shifted for treatment, in Lahore, Pakistan, Sunday, May 6, 2018. A gunman opened fire on the country's interior minister after a public meeting in his constituency Sunday, wounding him in the shoulder, officials said. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

Ameer said on Monday they opted not to remove the bullet from Iqbal's abdomen as that would have entailed a more dangerous procedure.

Pakistani police officers stand guard at a hospital, where Pakistan's injured Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal being shifted for treatment, in Lahore, Pakistan, Sunday, May 6, 2018. A gunman opened fire on the country's interior minister after a public meeting in his constituency Sunday, wounding him in the shoulder, officials said. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)</s>NAROWAL : Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) leader and Interior Minsiter Ahsan Iqbal Sunday sustained injuries on right arm during assassination attempt after attending a corner meeting in Narowal.

The minister got injured due to gunshots fired by an assailant. He received bullet injury to his right arm. He was immediately transported to district hospital Narowal for medical treatment.

The incident took place while he was leaving after attending a meeting at MPA Rana Manan’s residence in Kanjrur town of Narowal.

Police sources said the assailant, who was arrested soon after the incident, has been identified as Abid Hussain, 21.

Ahsan Iqbal was in stable condition, said hospital sources.

District Police Officer (DPO) Narowal Imran Kishwar confirmed that Ahsan Iqbal was out of danger. He said bullet was fired from a distance of 15 yards. He said the assaulter was a local resident and he was shifted to an undisclosed location for further interrogation.

Reportedly, intelligence agencies had alerted Ahsan Iqbal five days ago for beefing up his personal security and avoid public gatherings. He was also reportedly told that an attack could take place in Narowal rally.

Later, Chief Minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif sent a helicopter to transport Ahsan Iqbal from Narowal to Lahore.

Ahmed Iqbal, son of Ahsan Iqbal, said that first aid was given to his father at the DHQ. “My father is out of danger now, but we are shifting him to Lahore for medical care,” he said, urging the nation to pray for his father’s recovery.

Talking to a private channel, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said that Ahsan Iqbal has received a bullet in his shoulder and he has been shifted to hospital. He said the person, who carried out firing has been arrested.

“A 22-year-old person has been arrested,” he said, adding that the interior minister may be shifted to Lahore if required. “By the Grace of Gold, Ahsan Iqbal is out of danger.”

Taking notice of the incident, Inspector General Punjab Police Arif Nawaz has sought report from the DPO and said strict action should be taken against the culprit.

Spokesperson Punjab Government Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan said medical treatment was provided to him and he will be further treated in Lahore.

In an interview, DPO Narowal Imran Kishwar said the Interior Minister received a bullet in an arm, and his condition is out of danger. He said the accused, identified as Abid Hussain, has been arrested. The spokesman for Punjab government said the accused belongs to a local village.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has strongly condemned the attack on the Interior Minister and sought a report of the incident from IG Police Punjab.

Punjab Governor Rafique Rajwana and Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif also condemned the incident.

Talking to Radio Pakistan, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb prayed for the early recovery of Ahsan Iqbal.

She said criticism of providing security to dignitaries is unjustified at a time when the country is fighting terror.

Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari condemned the incident and prayed for early recovery of Ahsan.

PTI Spokesperson Fawad Chaudhry said PTI condemned the attack on the interior minister and demanded immediate arrest of the culprits behind this incident.</s>Pakistan's interior minister was injured in an apparent assassination attempt, according to several media reports.

According to a report in Pakistan Today, Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal was injured after unknown assailants opened fire on him after a political gathering in Punjab's Narowal.

Iqbal took a bullet in the arm after stepping out of his motorcade, and the Elite Force has arrested an assailant named Abid, according to the Pakistan Today report.

Dawn reported that Iqbal was shifted to District Headquarters Hospital. Confirming the incident, PML-N leader Tallal Chaudhry said Iqbal was out of danger and that the suspect — between 20 to 22 years old — is being interrogated, he added, according to the report.

Punjab chief minister Shehbaz Sharif has sent his official helicopter to Narowal to airlift the minister to Lahore, according to a report in TheNews.</s>LAHORE, Pakistan — A top Pakistani health official says the country’s interior minister is stable after undergoing two surgeries following an attack by a gunman the previous day.

Dr. Mohammad Ameer, head of a Lahore hospital where the minister is being treated, says the bullet had first fractured Ahsan Iqbal’s right arm, then ricocheted and lodged in his abdomen.

The shooting happened after Iqbal was returning to his car following a meeting on Sunday in his constituency, the Narowal district. The gunman, identified as Abid Hussain, was arrested on the spot. His motive wasn’t immediately known. He has been linked to a religious group that rallied in Islamabad in January.

Ameer said on Monday they opted not to remove the bullet from Iqbal’s abdomen as that would have entailed a more dangerous procedure.</s>(CNN) — Pakistan’s Interior Minister, Ahsan Iqbal, was shot and wounded in his shoulder while attending a provincial assembly meeting in Narowal, Punjab province, according to Imran Kishwar, Narowal district police.

“As he got out of a car, a young man shot him. The assailant has been apprehended,” Kishwar said.

Police identified the shooter as Abid Hussain, a 21-year-old from Neelum village in Narowal, Punjab.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has “strongly condemned” the attack on Mr. Ahsan Iqbal and has called for an immediate report on the incident from the Inspector General of Punjab Police, according to a statement from his office.

Chief Minister of Punjab Shehbaz Sharif issued a statement on Twitter strongly condemning the attack.

“Those who indulged in this heinous act will be brought to justice,” he said, adding that he had spoken to Iqbal and he was in “high spirits.”

He also warned that his party, the Pakistan Muslim League, “will not be browbeaten into submission.”

In a short statement on Twitter, US Ambassador to Pakistan David Hale said, “The United States condemns the attack on Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal today. We wish him a speedy recovery.”</s>Lahore: Pakistan's Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal was injured on Monday in an assassination attempt when a man opened fire at him after he had addressed a political rally in Punjab province, police said.

Iqbal, 59, a senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader, was hit by a bullet on his right shoulder in the attack, the police said.

His condition is stated to be out of danger.

The attacker was identified as Abid Hussain, 21, who belongs to the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Yarasoolallah Pakistan (TLYP), according to a preliminary investigation.

"Doctors are operating upon Mr Iqbal to take out a bullet from his stomach. He sustained a bullet injury. The bullet after brushing his arm hit the stomach. Now doctors are conducting the operation to take out the bullet from his stomach," Punjab minister Zaeem Qadri told reporters outside the Services Hospital in Lahore.

"The man who opened fire on the interior minister belongs to the religious outfit - TLYP. We know the motive of this attack but I want to tell that this is a very dangerous game being played against the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)," Information Minister Marrium Aurengzeb said adding that "this politics of hatred" should be stopped now.

Iqbal was leaving a venue after addressing a rally in his hometown Narowal, 150 kms from Lahore, at 6.15 pm when Hussain fired at him, injuring his arm and stomach.

A senior police officer said the suspect told investigators that he opened fire on the minister to take revenge from the ruling PML-N for trying to delete the clause related to the Khatm-e-Nabuwat (the finality of Prophet Muhammad) from the Constitution.

"The suspect belongs to a religious family and is a worker of the TLYP. We are interrogating him to find out whether he acted alone or at the behest of someone," he said.

"The moment Hussain opened the fire on the interior minister the PML-N workers present there grabbed him and gave him a sound thrashing before handing him over to the police," police officer Imran Kishwar said, adding that the security personnel did not get a chance to throw a cover around the minister to protect him.

Iqbal's son confirmed that his father is out of danger.

The attacker fired with a 30-bore pistol from a distance of around 18 metres. He was about to fire a second shot when he was apprehended, police said, adding that the weapon has been recovered.

Punjab Assembly lawmaker Rana Manan said Iqbal was about to sit in his vehicle when the attacker fired at him.

TLYP is a radical Islamic party which is known for its widespread street power and massive protests against any change to Pakistan's controversial blasphemy law.

The attack on the interior minister highlights the issue of security of high-profile politicians ahead of the election scheduled to be held after June.

Asif Ali Zardari, Bilawal Bhutto and other Pakistan Peoples Party leaders also condemned the attack, as did Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan.

Iqbal was once seen as a potential prime minister when Nawaz Sharif was ousted by the Supreme Court last year.

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif described the incident as an "assassination attempt".

A couple of months ago Iqbal had also faced a shoe-attack in his hometown. However the man who hurled the shoe was arrested and later freed after Iqbal pardoned him. The suspect then claimed that he committed the act because he was upset with the PML-N government over the change to the offending clause in the Constitution.

Similarly, ousted prime minister and PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and former foreign minister Khwaja Asif also faced shoe and ink attacks in Lahore and Sialkot, a couple of months ago.

Their attackers were also members of the TLYP who alleged that the PML-N leadership had committed blasphemy by changing the constitutional clause which had provoked the attacks.

Punjab governor Salmaan Taseer was gunned down in 2011 by his own police guard who confessed that he killed him because of his opposition to the blasphemy law.
Pakistani Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal is shot at following a rally in Narowal, Punjab. A bullet pierces his right shoulder. He is in stable condition now and the gunman has since been arrested, according to Government Officials.