Islamabad, Pakistan – Pakistani Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal has been wounded by an unidentified gunman at an election rally in central Punjab province, according to officials.
Iqbal, 59, was shot in the shoulder on Sunday after addressing the crowd gathered in his native Narowal district, Federal Minister Talal Chaudhry told local TV station Geo News.
Jam Sajjad Hussain, a rescue services spokesperson, told Al Jazeera that Iqbal was getting into his vehicle to leave the rally when a “young man” fired at him “several times”.
Provincial authorities and Iqbal’s son said the minister had not suffered any life-threatening wounds.
Chief Minister Punjab @CMShehbaz has strongly condemned the assassination attempt at the Federal Interior Minister and PML-N leader @betterpakistan
— Govt Of The Punjab (@GovtOfPunjab) May 6, 2018
Television footage showed a prone Iqbal being wheeled into the government-run hospital following the attack. He was later moved to Lahore for further treatment.
As per the doctors at DHQ Narowal, the condition of @betterpakistan is out of danger.
— Govt Of The Punjab (@GovtOfPunjab) May 6, 2018
Chaudhry said that at least one man had been arrested at the scene of the attack, adding that investigations were ongoing.
Iqbal’s ruling Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) party will complete its five-year tenure in government later this month, with Pakistan due to hold a general parliamentary election in July.
Iqbal was made interior minister last year, but has been a member of the cabinet since the PML-N came into power in the 2013 elections. He is also the head of the Ministry of Planning, Development and Reforms.
Courtesy: Source
