Vidostream | News, sport and opinion from the Vidostream's US edition

https://vidostream.com

Pakistan interior minister shot, wounded in assassination bid

Pakistan's Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal was wounded in an apparent assassination attempt on Sunday, officials said, an incident likely to heighten political tensions ahead of general elections expected in late July.
© Aamir Qureshi, AFP | File photo of Pakistani Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal at a press conference in Islamabad on October 2, 2017.

© Aamir Qureshi, AFP | File photo of Pakistani Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal at a press conference in Islamabad on October 2, 2017.

Junior interior minister Talal Chaudhry said Iqbal was hit by a bullet in his arm in the attack in Narowal district, his constituency in central Punjab province.
 
"The minister luckily survived. Thank God he is out of danger," Chaudhry said.
 
The attacker was arrested immediately after the shooting, officials said.
 
Iqbal, a senior member of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party and a staunch ally of ousted premier Nawaz Sharif, is one of the most senior figures in government and PML-N.
 
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi "strongly condemned" the attack on Iqbal and called for an immediate report into the incident by the chief of police in the vast Punjab province.
 
A senior government source said early information suggested Iqbal was returning from a meeting with a Christian group, though in his constituency there are other minority groups.
 
"We are not sure whether it has got anything to do with the motive. We will know only after investigation of the attacker," said the government official.
 
Militant attacks in Pakistan have fallen sharply over the past few years, but Islamist militants continue to pose a threat and carry out assassinations.
 
In the past politically motivated attacks have also been a feature of political life in Pakistan.

(REUTERS)

Source: France 24

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. By continuing to browse, you are agreeing to our Cookie Policy.
You did not use the site, Click here to remain logged. Timeout: 60 second