{"id":12234,"date":"2022-11-04T02:05:00","date_gmt":"2022-11-04T00:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/?p=12234"},"modified":"2022-11-04T07:43:47","modified_gmt":"2022-11-04T05:43:47","slug":"pakistans-former-prime-minister-imran-khan-wounded-in-assassination-attempt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/pakistans-former-prime-minister-imran-khan-wounded-in-assassination-attempt\/","title":{"rendered":"Pakistan\u2019s former prime minister Imran Khan wounded in assassination attempt"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan was wounded in an assassination attempt as he was leading the protest march towards Islamabad to demand early elections.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of his supporters, identified as Muazzam Nawaz, was killed and 14 others have been injured in the attack in Wazirabad city, 200km (120 miles) from the capital Islamabad. The attack came less than a week after Khan began his march from Lahore with thousands of supporters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At least one bullet hit&nbsp;Khan, who was standing on a moving container after a gunman opened fire. \u201cThere are pellets lodged in his leg, his bone has been chipped, he has also been shot in his thigh,\u201d said Asad Umar, a senior leader of Khan\u2019s party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Khan was immediately sent back to Lahore to receive medical treatment at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital, built by Imran Khan in memory of his mother in 1994.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He was reported to be in stable condition.&nbsp;Speaking to reporters, the head of the hospital. Dr. Faisal Sultan said there were bullet fragments in Khan\u2019s leg and his tibia bone was chipped. \u201cThis is only the initial assessment, and we are taking him to the operation theatre for detailed evaluation,\u201d he said. A four-member medical board has been formed to monitor and evaluate Khan\u2019s health, he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Pakistan\u2019s former prime minister <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/ImranKhan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#ImranKhan<\/a> being taken to hospital after being wounded in assassination attempt <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/sPRxtWn20P\">pic.twitter.com\/sPRxtWn20P<\/a><\/p>&mdash; IRIA (@IRIA_Research) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/IRIA_Research\/status\/1588226990858960897?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">November 3, 2022<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Among the wounded was Faisal Javed, a lawmaker from his party, who was seen in bloodstained clothes. \u201cPlease pray for us, for Imran Khan, pray for our fellow workers who are severely injured and pray for our party member who has been martyred,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Video from the scene showed Khan and his supporters on a shipping container before a burst of gunfire is heard. Khan and others are then seen ducking, as those around him try to cover him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis is not only an assassination attempt on Imran Khan but an attack on Pakistan itself,\u201d his aide Fawad Chaudhry said on Twitter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Imran-Khan-Pakistan.jpeg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Imran-Khan-Pakistan.jpeg?resize=858%2C536&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12240\" width=\"858\" height=\"536\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Imran-Khan-Pakistan.jpeg?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Imran-Khan-Pakistan.jpeg?resize=300%2C188&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Imran-Khan-Pakistan.jpeg?resize=768%2C480&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 858px) 100vw, 858px\" \/><\/a><figcaption><em><sup>Pakistan\u2019s former prime minister Imran Khan was leading the protest march toward Islamabad to demand early elections when he was shot in the leg in an assassination attempt on November 3, 2022. (Image Credit: PTI)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Suspect arrested<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the local police, one male suspect was arrested from the scene with a 9mm pistol and two empty magazines. Police released a video confession of the suspect who said that he had attempted to kill the former prime minister because \u201cHe was misguiding the people. I wanted to kill him. I tried to kill him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Federal information minister Murriyam Aurangzeb said that the interrogation of the suspect was underway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Witnesses reported having heard gunfire before the man who was later arrested opened fire. \u201cI heard a burst of bullet shots after which I saw Imran Khan and his aides go down on the container,\u201d local witness Qazzafi Butt told Reuters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Videos shared on social media showed the attacker raising a gun before being stopped by a young man identified as Ibtisam. He said that the attacker had loaded the magazine and was preparing to fire when \u201cI approached him when he had shot one bullet in the air. Then I pulled at him, which caused his aim to go awry. He then tried to run away, but we managed to stop him.\u201d The man, who tackled the gunman, was hailed as a hero on social media for the bravery he displayed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"es\" dir=\"ltr\">Hero \ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffc\ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\uddf0 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/mqTXPdWxjH\">pic.twitter.com\/mqTXPdWxjH<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Jemima Goldsmith (@Jemima_Khan) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Jemima_Khan\/status\/1588173075706544128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">November 3, 2022<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This was not the first assassination attempt on a senior Pakistani leader. The country\u2019s former prime minister Benazir Bhutto was shot dead on December 27, 2007.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Protests erupt<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Khan was on the seventh day of a nationwide rally tour calling for elections when he was attacked.  Protests broke out across Pakistan in support of Khan, including in the capital Islamabad, Peshawar, Lahore, and Karachi, where thousands of protesters gathered, blocking roads for around two hours while holding party flags and chanting slogans against the government. Khan alleges that the country\u2019s prime minister, interior minister, and another senior official were behind the attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Khan, who was ousted in a vote of no-confidence in April, claims that his government was overthrown as part of a foreign conspiracy. Since then, he has held massive across Pakistan, calling for early elections. The current government has dismissed demands saying the polls would be held next year as per schedule. Khan has also been at loggerheads with the country\u2019s military.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Grand reception at Ghakkar Mandi earlier today. Massive support for Haqeeqi Azadi March. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/sJMZ5Ko1hX\">pic.twitter.com\/sJMZ5Ko1hX<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ImranKhanPTI\/status\/1587841999545290757?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">November 2, 2022<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Reaction on assassination attempt<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued a statement condemning the incident and asked authorities to immediately launch an investigation. \u201cWe pray for the speedy recovery of Imran and other injured. The Federation will provide all possible support to the Punjab government in the security\/investigation of the incident,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pakistani armed forces also issued a statement, saying the \u201cfiring incident\u201d at the protest march \u201cwas highly condemnable\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pakistan\u2019s President Dr. Arif Alvi condemned the assassination attempt and sent prayers for his speedy recovery and for all those injured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was among the first world leaders to condemn the attack. He said the attack on Khan and his supporters was \u201ccompletely unacceptable\u201d and sent wishes for a speedy recovery to Imran Khan and all who were injured today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The attack on <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ImranKhanPTI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@ImranKhanPTI<\/a> and his supporters is completely unacceptable, and I strongly condemn this violence. It has no place in politics, in any democracy, or in our society. I\u2019m wishing a speedy recovery to Imran and all who were injured today.<\/p>&mdash; Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/JustinTrudeau\/status\/1588172092582727680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">November 3, 2022<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly wrote on Twitter that the attack on Imran Khan was \u201cshocking\u201d and expressed sorrow over the attack that left one dead. \u201cThere is no space for violence in politics,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>United States Secretary Antony Blinken strongly condemned \u201cthe shooting of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and others at a political rally\u201d and wished them all a quick and thorough recovery, and offered condolences to the family of the individual who was killed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cViolence has no place in politics, and we call on all parties to refrain from violence, harassment, and intimidation.&nbsp;The United States is deeply committed to a democratic and peaceful Pakistan, and we stand&nbsp;with the Pakistani people,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The U.S. strongly condemns the shooting of <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ImranKhanPTI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@ImranKhanPTI<\/a> at a political rally. We wish him and all others injured a quick recovery, and we offer condolences to the family of the individual who was killed. All parties should remain peaceful. Violence has no place in politics.<\/p>&mdash; Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SecBlinken\/status\/1588254187510730752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">November 3, 2022<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Saudi Arabia also denounced the assassination attempt on the former prime minister. \u201cThe Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia&#8217;s strong condemnation and denunciation of the attempted assassination of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan\u201d, the country\u2019s foreign ministry said on Thursday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hours before he was shot, Khan spoke to the media and said he was hopeful there would not be violence at the protest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Two hours before he was shot in the leg, the former Pakistan PM spoke to Sky News and insisted he was hopeful there would not be violence on his Long March.<br><br>More here: <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/zI88mc8imo\">https:\/\/t.co\/zI88mc8imo<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/fcSVVXBLdZ\">pic.twitter.com\/fcSVVXBLdZ<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Sky News (@SkyNews) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SkyNews\/status\/1588216814206599169?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">November 3, 2022<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan was wounded in an assassination attempt as he was leading the protest march towards Islamabad to demand early elections.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12238,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[124,1],"tags":[137,380,100,8,71,29,480,113,146,533,291],"class_list":["post-12234","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-asia-pacific","category-news","tag-asia","tag-asia-pacific","tag-killings","tag-pakistan","tag-politics","tag-protest","tag-pti","tag-security","tag-shooting","tag-south-asia","tag-violence"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Imran-Khan.jpg?fit=690%2C370&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7jJWb-3bk","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12234","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12234"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12234\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12248,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12234\/revisions\/12248"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12238"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12234"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12234"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12234"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}