Imran Khan: Party to protest former PM’s “assassination attempt”
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has declared a country-wide protest against the shooting of Imran Khan in an apparent assassination attempt.
Khan was shot in the leg on Thursday as he waved to crowds from atop a truck-mounted container from which he was leading a protest march in Islamabad to pressure the government for snap polls.
“Today, after Friday prayers, there will be protests across the country, which will continue until Imran Khan’s demand is met,” Asad Umar, a close Khan aide, said on Twitter.
Aside from snap polls, Khan’s party says he is also calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who led a coalition of parties that removed Khan from power through a parliamentary vote in April.
Khan’s supporters began gathering again early on Friday at the spot of the apparent assassination attempt and called on the former prime minister to restart his march on Islamabad.
“The march must go ahead. It cannot stop. People are very angry, it will become more intense,” Ansar Bashir, 40, a Khan supporter said.
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Police have not commented publicly on the attack.
Khan spent the night in a hospital in Lahore under the supervision of doctors, who say his life is not in danger. He is yet to speak publicly on the incident.
Punjab Health Minister Dr. Yasmeen Rashid, also a member of PTI, said two bullets hit Khan in the shin and the thigh.
Khan had demanded police investigate Prime Minister Sharif, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and intelligence official Major-General Faisal.
He alleged they were behind the attack, according to Punjab government spokesperson and PTI leader Mussarat Jamshed Cheema. Khan and his party have not produced any evidence to support the allegation.
Sharif and Sanaullah have condemned the attack and denied involvement.
The military did not respond to a request for comment on Khan’s allegation, but earlier condemned the incident.
Sharif has also called for a transparent inquiry into the shooting, which occurred in an area where Khan’s party is in government.
Zainab Sa’id
