Interior minister wounded in gun attack

Interior minister Ahsan Iqbal has been shot in a suspected assassination attempt ahead of nationwide elections due this year, but will survive, officials said Sunday. The suspect, who police said was named "Abid" and is believed to be in his early 20s, shot Iqbal at close range with a 30-bore pistol, hitting him in his right arm as he was preparing to leave a public meeting in Narowal, senior police official Raja Riffat Mukhtar said.
"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, adding that Iqbal was undergoing surgery and confirming his life was not in danger.
Iqbal "was targeted", his aide Asim Khan told AFP, confirming that the attacker has been arrested. Punjab health secretary Najam Shah said he had been taken to a hospital in Lahore. Video footage of his arrival released by the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) showed him being lifted from a helicopter on a stretcher, his eyes open as he responded to questions.
"He's stable... he's ok," a hospital official, who asked not to be named, told AFP. The shooting in Iqbal's constituency of Narowal district drew swift international condemnation, and comes as country gears up for its second ever democratic transition, with federal polls widely expected this summer.
It follows a series of blows to the PML-N, which has been struggling to find its footing since its eponymous leader Nawaz Sharif was ousted by the Supreme Court over graft allegations last summer.
PML-N lawmaker Maiza Hameed told private TV channel that the shooting was an attempt to "weaken democracy" ahead of the upcoming elections. "Strongly condemn the assassination attempt on my friend Ahsan Iqbal... Just spoke to him & he is in high spirits," tweeted Punjab chief minister Shahbaz Sharif, brother to Nawaz. "Those who indulged in this heinous act will be brought to justice," he continued. "PMLN will not be browbeaten into submission... Prayers for quick recovery!!"
Upcoming elections The attack also caused widespread shock on social media. "Ominous development as the country moves to the election season," tweeted analyst and editor of the Daily Times newspaper Raza Ahmad Rumi.
It was quickly condemned by the international community, with the French embassy, US ambassador David Hale, British High Commissioner Thomas Drew and UN coordinator Neil Buhne among those tweeting their support for his recovery. Considered the brains behind the party's development agenda, he previously headed up the planning ministry.
The general election, due this year, has not yet been called, but is widely expected to be held in late summer. The poll will pit the PML-N against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party (PTI) led by former cricket star Imran Khan. However the ruling party has suffered a series of blows, with Nawaz Sharif banned from politics for life, while foreign minister Khawaja Asif was removed by the Islamabad High Court late last month for violating election laws.
Sharif and his supporters have repeatedly denied allegations of corruption, suggesting they are victims of a conspiracy driven by Pakistan's powerful military to reduce the power of their party. Despite the setbacks facing the PML-N, the party has won a string of recent by-elections, proving it will likely remain a force in the vote.
Reuters adds: The man believed to have shot Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal was affiliated to the new ultra-religious Tehreek-e-Labaik party, according to a police report seen by Reuters.
The report said the shooter was Abid Hussain, 21, who "showed his affiliation" to the party, which focuses on highlighting and fighting blasphemy. It did not speculate on his motive. Labaik's leader, Khadim Hussain Rizvi, condemned the attack in a statement and said his party had not authorised any of its workers to take up arms.
NNI adds: 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 attacker 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 attending public gatherings. He was also reportedly told that an attack could take place in Narowal rally.
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.
"A 22-year-old person has been arrested," Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said, adding that the interior minister may be shifted to Lahore if required.
Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has strongly condemned the attack 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 People's 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.