PPP leader Shaukat Basra injured, PA killed in Bahawalnagar gunfight

E-Paper | March 17, 2026

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader and former MPA from south Punjab Shaukat Basra was injured while his personal assistant was killed in an exchange of fire in Punjab's Bahawalnagar district on Monday.

The exchange of fire took place between supporters of the PPP and Pakistan Muslim League-Zia (PML-Z) in Bahawalnagar's Haroonabad area which led to three people being injured, including Basra.

Basra's personal assistant Imtiaz was killed in the firing.

The injured were all shifted to a local hospital in Bahawalnagar.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari condemned the "attack" on Basra as "open terrorism".

"PPP leaders cannot be frightened by such cowardly attacks," he said in a statement posted by PPP Media Cell.

Bilawal demanded that the "terrorists" be immediately arrested and punished.

Basra served as an MPA from Bahawalnagar in the Punjab Assembly from 2008-2013. He is currently serving as the information secretary of PPP's south Punjab chapter.

Pakistan

Zahir Abbas Sial has been reporting for Dawn News (TV) since 2011. His coverage spans investigative reports, crime, and social justice issues across multiple Punjab districts. He can be found on X at @ZaheerAbasSial.

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Sab Se Pehle Pakistan

Feb 06, 2017 02:34pm

No one should get killed but I wonder why its always the poor workers that are killed?

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The end is near

Feb 06, 2017 03:10pm

Poor workers always get killed. They never get any roti, kapra and makan from their so called party leaders.

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SadFaces

Feb 06, 2017 03:27pm

Proper inquiry needs to be made as both parties are historically political enemies who play below the belt tactics.

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Punjab

Feb 06, 2017 03:32pm

PPP leaders are still on target of the terrorists and their supporters.

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Pakistan Zindabad

Feb 06, 2017 03:42pm

Go through news papers of Pakistan and West. All lawless situations are created by common people or Political supporters. But the restrictions and bans are for Madrassah People and Muslim.

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Pakistan Zindabad

Feb 06, 2017 03:45pm

@The end is near Yes poor workers fires on each other, Poor workers assault on each other. And got killed. Very poor workers.

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Ahmad Shah

Feb 06, 2017 04:12pm

Its nothing as compared to ordinary citizens being killed and injured on a daily basis in Pakistan of corrupt rulers. Rulers are incapable to protect lives and property as they are engrossed in plundering Pakistan with a free hand misconceiving that they are immune and unanswerable .There is a gun culture, money laundering, bribery at all levels, soaring crimes, illiteracy, lack of medical facilities, extreme poverty. These crimes will be committed until the corrupts are awarded deterrent punishments from top to bottom .Justice has to be done within strict timeframes as justice delayed is justice denied and that's what has been happening in this country.

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Azmeen

Feb 06, 2017 04:27pm

Very sad incidence.

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JKhan

Feb 06, 2017 04:38pm

The self imposed leadership of PPPZ is abroad and have nothing to do with roti kapra or any makan. No self-respect and dignity.

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SU Khattak

Feb 06, 2017 04:37pm

An eye for an eye punishment needed.

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Saif Zulfiqar

Feb 06, 2017 05:02pm

Are they politicians or gangsters?

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Qamar

Feb 06, 2017 05:46pm

It is the culture in Punjab Ms Sherry.

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RUH

Feb 06, 2017 05:51pm

@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan Your observation is correct. How elected class will enjoy privileges of the country then..

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Alba

Feb 06, 2017 05:58pm

What kind of politics is this? Is Pakistan some African country? This is not due process of law. It is due process of lead. The law of the jungle.

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Asif A. Shah

Feb 06, 2017 06:15pm

Grudges die hard.

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KAmran

Feb 06, 2017 08:54pm

Such is the lure of power.

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starr

Feb 06, 2017 10:52pm

It was self defense! A small part cannot take on large party

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JUSTICE

Feb 07, 2017 07:20am

The PML-N government is in power, they can do whatever they want, don't forget they have "Chotoo Gans" and lot of Gulu Butts type people working for them in Punjab

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Khanm

Feb 07, 2017 09:28pm

Wow ....Is this how we settle our political disputes...It is unfortunate that when you want to make some people feel like human beings, they begin to take you as an animal... Wonder who was teaching who..

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