Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal injured in assassination attempt during Narowal corner meeting
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Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal was shot at and injured during a corner meeting in Narowal's Kanjrur tehsil on Sunday, in what Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif described as an "assassination attempt".
The interior minister's condition is said to be out of danger. Ahsan Iqbal has been airlifted from Narowal and brought to Services Hospital in Lahore where he is undergoing treatment.
The CM Punjab, condemning the attack, said: "Just spoke to him and he is in high spirits." He visited the hospital where the interior minister is being treated for his wounds.
District Police Officer (DPO) Imran Kishwar told DawnNewsTV that Iqbal was shot by the assailant ─ who was also present at the corner meeting ─ with a 30-bore pistol from a distance of 20 yards.
He sustained a bullet wound in his right shoulder, the DPO added.
The interior minister was initially shifted to District Headquarters Hospital Narowal following the attack, but was later airlifted in a helicopter to Lahore where he received further medical treatment.
PML-N leader Tallal Chaudhry confirmed that Iqbal's condition was stable and he was out of danger.
The suspected shooter was taken into custody. He was identified as a local 20 to 22-year-old youth residing in the jurisdiction of the Shah Gharib police station in Kanjrur tehsil.
The Punjab government, confirming the arrest, said the suspect "is being interrogated by the police".
Shahbaz Sharif tweeted: "Those who indulged in this heinous act will be brought to justice. PML-N will not be browbeaten into submission."
"I am personally overseeing the investigation," he added.
The CM Punjab also sought a report from the inspector general (IG) Punjab and directed the authorities to take action against the culprit.
Condemnations pour in
Asif Ali Zardari, Bilawal Bhutto, and other PPP leaders also condemned the attack on Ahsan Iqbal. "We have to put a stop to such incidents," said the PPP co-chairman.
"Hope he recovers soon and thoughts, prayers with his family," Leader of the Opposition in Senate Sherry Rehman said.
"PTI strongly condemns the attack on Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal," Fawad Chaudhry tweeted. PTI chief also sent a short tweet condemning the incident.
"Political differences notwithstanding, physical targeting of any politician is simply not acceptable. Sadly, intolerance and violence are becoming endemic in our society," PTI's Shireen Mazari said in her tweet.
Also condemning the incident, Jamaat-i-Islami chief Sirajul Haq demanded that the hidden elements behind the incident be uncovered.
Jamaat-i- Islami (JI) chief Sirajul Haq strongly condemned the assassination attempt on Ahsan Iqbal and termed it a “cowardly act”. "Unseen forces behind the attack must be unveiled," he added.
Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa also condemned the incident and sent his best wishes for Iqbal's early recovery.
Shakeel Qarar is an Islamabad-based reporter for Dawn News (TV), having been with the organization since 2012. His reporting covers crime, law and order, and security, with a specific focus on the Ministry of Interior and its subordinate agencies. He can be found on X at @Qarar009.
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May 06, 2018 06:55pm
This is not good at all. Names of those who master-minded this attack should be publicly disclosed and brought to justice.
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May 06, 2018 07:02pm
2013 election replay of when PPP election campaign was targeted. This time it's PML-N and first shots have been fired.
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May 06, 2018 07:04pm
Sad incident
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May 06, 2018 07:05pm
This is bad irrespective of political affiliation or interests since Mr. Iqbal represents Pakistan as a state and this should never happen to anyone. Wish him and all others across the country a speedy recovery.
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May 06, 2018 07:10pm
Conspiracy
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May 06, 2018 07:11pm
Enemies of Pakistan are trying to destabilize the country.
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May 06, 2018 07:15pm
This shows all our claims to eliminate the terorists have failed.
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May 06, 2018 07:16pm
He should immediately nominate Imran khan and PTI in the FIR
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May 06, 2018 07:18pm
This news does not bode well. I hope he makes a quick recovery and nations prayers are with him and his family.
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May 06, 2018 07:19pm
Even interior minister isn't safe, what about common man?
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May 06, 2018 07:30pm
The outcome of preaching of hate, intolerance to other’s point of view.
To terrorize the parties and representatives not to run a campaign
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May 06, 2018 07:30pm
Inside job.
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May 06, 2018 07:32pm
Violence in any form should not be acceptable.
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May 06, 2018 07:32pm
Forget common people even the ministers, rich or powerful are not remotely safe in Pakistan !!
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May 06, 2018 07:49pm
This is a very bad precedent being set by some abnormal criminal minded People who don't like peaceful gatherings and processions. Just imagine all the other political leaders making speeches from behind a bullet-proof glass shield from now on. What message would it convey to the outside world and what will they think about us as a nation? Very sad incident. The culprit should be given an exemplary punishment so that the other people think 100 times before committing such a heinous crime. I wish Ahsan Iqbal speedy recovery and good health. The value of a human being is much higher than our political differences and conflict of opinions.
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May 06, 2018 07:53pm
Wishing Ahsan Iqbal best of health and best of luck! If Pakistan has to function as a democratic country then there should be zero tolerance for any incident of violence. I resolutely condemn this despicable act of violence.
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May 06, 2018 07:59pm
The Interior Minister himself is not safe. How can he safeguard us Pakistanis?
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May 06, 2018 08:00pm
No sane and democratic minded human being can endorse this behavior.Such miscreants exist in every political party and all politicians are responsible to create an atmosphere of Goondaism.No one is "SHAREEF". I wish Ahsan Iqbal a speedy recovery.
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May 06, 2018 08:08pm
@Imtiaz Mahmood couldn’t agree more
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May 06, 2018 08:09pm
This act must be condemned by all. It is also important to seriously think about reasons behind producing such highly charged and hateful environment which is leading to such deplorable intolerance and irresponsible aggression.
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May 06, 2018 08:13pm
Really condemn the incident but why is there no hospital in Narowal to treat him. Why being airlifted to Lahore.
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May 06, 2018 08:19pm
This is an attack on the democratic process and should be condemned irrespective of party affiliation.
Wake up Pakistan, condemn terrorism in unequivocal terms.
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May 06, 2018 08:20pm
Indian angencies working day and night , do sobatoge Pakistan in every angle .. wake up Pakistan counter it .. otherwise it will be too late
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May 06, 2018 08:29pm
such a sad incident, another dark day in the history of the country. Pakistani nation should pray for the speedy recover of Ahsan Iqbal.
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May 06, 2018 08:32pm
Very sad. Intolerable. The incident should be thoroughly investigated and be published to the public. The guilty should be punished according to law.
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May 06, 2018 08:35pm
@Zulfiqar Enemies are within . Look onwards you will find them.
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May 06, 2018 08:39pm
Whatever differences we have debate it pls dont go to the extend of killing people.Dont shatter people's family n love.
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May 06, 2018 08:42pm
Same game started as it was played in 2013 elections. Same people are behind this attack. Enough is enough.
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May 06, 2018 08:42pm
Attempting to kill someone is absolutely not acceptable. There should be a free and transparent inquiry to ascertain the facts. Given the charged up political scenario, in all probability some personal score may have been attempted with the planning of throwing the blame on political differences. Only a real transparent inquiry will help catch the culprit.
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May 06, 2018 08:45pm
If we had two-terms laws, and get out of the dynastic non-sense, and let new people take the responsibilities, we may avoid such incidents.
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May 06, 2018 08:49pm
@Khalid . Utter nonsense. Please proove before you make any allegations. Let the truth come and trust me you will be embarrassed
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May 06, 2018 08:51pm
Very sad incident. Get well soon
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May 06, 2018 09:04pm
Whatever political differences we had with him , but this is tragic and condemnable.
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May 06, 2018 09:06pm
Task is given to remove PML-N Important members one by one thru partial Justice or thru any other illegal means,bottom line and the goal is to defeat this party in next selection instead off election.
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May 06, 2018 09:09pm
@Osman ... I wonder where a 20 year old got himself a .380 pistol.
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May 06, 2018 09:13pm
@Zulfiqar Pakistan has no enemies except itself.blame game won't last for long.
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May 06, 2018 09:15pm
Very unfortunate.
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May 06, 2018 09:22pm
Hope he recovers well and be able to compete in elections as planned. I also sincerely hope that the way he has been treated medically, he makes sure ALL PAKISTANIS regardless of ethnicities, religion or social class receive similar quality of care. That will make this nation period and prosperous.
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May 06, 2018 09:23pm
What a sorry state of affair, even home minister is not secure in the country..
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May 06, 2018 09:24pm
Shahbaz Sharif tweeted: "Those who indulged in this heinous act will be brought to justice. PML-N will not be browbeaten into submission."
Wish he had expressed same sentiments for the massacre at Model Town.
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May 06, 2018 09:25pm
This is very bad and must be condemned. Naeem Bokhari, Senior Advocate Supreme Court (my law class fellow) is attacked in London and Ahsan Attacked in his home town Narowal speak too bad about us. One can differ with others but it does not justify to attack alike in revenge. If leaders are attacked now then what could be the situation when they face each other in election. BTW, when Interior Minister is not safe in his home town then how can others be safe is my very naive question which one but Ahsan, Interior Minister himself must reply. Iqbal Hadi Zaidi / Kuwait / zaidi.formerdiplomat@hotmail.com
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May 06, 2018 09:25pm
@Khan So you are saying that PMLN came to power in the last election by selection and not election. if not, why selection now and not then.
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May 06, 2018 09:26pm
@Zulfiqar , this mentality will lead nowhere. Let the investigation get completed and come up with your conspiracy theories.
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May 06, 2018 09:27pm
Everything bad that happens to PMLN has to have a “mastermind” behind it... nothing can be taken at face value... although saying that, this kind of stuff should not be happening... security situation of Pakistan is only abit better then before - Army and government has a lot of work to do...
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May 06, 2018 09:33pm
At this critical juncture the criminal acts like this show the desperation on all sides. If the person involved is arrested he should be interrogated why he went to such extremes.
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May 06, 2018 09:41pm
@Khan Sounds like rumor mills are already activated to take and make political advantage through finger pointing. What a shame?
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May 06, 2018 10:13pm
We pray for early and complete recovery of Sir Ahsan Iqbal sahib
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May 06, 2018 10:21pm
This is highly deplorable incident. If not controlled with iron hands, it might spread to other parties, making the politics a circus of horror.
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May 06, 2018 10:42pm
This is sad.
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May 06, 2018 10:56pm
Airlifting of the minister was a good service for the minister, but how about the others who die in the absence of ground ambulances in entire Pakistan.
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May 06, 2018 11:08pm
This is a despicable act
culprits should be arrested and given exemplary punishment
Wish Ahsan sb speedy recovery
Violence has no place in a civilised society
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May 06, 2018 11:50pm
Sad and deplorable. May he recover soon!
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May 07, 2018 12:12am
Condemnable act of terrorism against Mr. Ahsan. Get well soon.
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May 07, 2018 12:13am
Very sad.
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May 07, 2018 12:33am
So sad and shocking News. May allow us to save his life. He is out of danger. Those are coward people who target their leaders
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May 07, 2018 12:57am
Work of cowards. Wish Ahsan Iqbal speedy recovery.
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May 07, 2018 01:32am
Political differences shouldn't take such a violent turns
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May 07, 2018 01:49am
If PMLN had made a single good hospital in Narowal in their 30 years tenure in Punjab, they wouldn't need to airlift their interior minister to Lahore today to treat a mere bullet wound.
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May 07, 2018 02:05am
Unacceptable
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May 07, 2018 02:10am
. . . Jamaat-i- Islami (JI) chief Sirajul Haq strongly condemned the assassination attempt on Ahsan Iqbal and termed it a “cowardly act”. . . .
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May 07, 2018 03:22am
Extremism on display and then we claim that we have defeated it. Sorry state of affairs.
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May 07, 2018 03:54am
I wish him recovery back to health. In my opinion has potential of making Prime Minister of Pakistan
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May 07, 2018 04:55am
@Osman, do you mean Inside Job done by PML-N, did it? If this is your thinking, you have a sick mind. Get some help.
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May 07, 2018 05:16am
such cowardly acts need to be addressed and the persons behind these assassination attempt should be taken to task immediately. Since the General elections are two or three months away it is imperative that law and order in the country be maintained at all costs.
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May 07, 2018 05:29am
Very sad incident.The ruling party should take strict action to control shootings.assassination attempts on the lives of not only its leaders but all citizens of the country.Laying blame on outsiders for its failure to control such despicable acts does not absolve the ruling party of its apparent inability to rule the country.The voters can lay the foundation for a change in the govt. through their votes in the next election.
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May 07, 2018 05:37am
There is no one is behind this, it’s a local guy who thought Ahsan Iqbal was responsible for Khatam-e-Naboowat case.
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May 07, 2018 05:45am
@Osman so sad and feeling sorry for people like you.
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May 07, 2018 06:23am
Was he suppose to appear in court in the morning?
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May 07, 2018 07:19am
violence should not have any place in Pakistani society and must be condemned with fill force.
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May 07, 2018 07:50am
What a quick and efficient response. I wish we can have same response for poor citizens.
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May 07, 2018 07:51am
An extremely sad incident which does not bode well for the country’s reputation abroad.This seems to be preplanned attempt and those behind it must be exposed & punished to deter others.The leader canvassing for vote in this election season must take extra precaution for their & others safety,because we do have such twisted minded people among us who because of political or other differences may repeat this unpleasant and undesirable act. It is a real delimma that the whole society in the last two decades has taken a gradual shift from normal to a very intolerant one which is a cause of great concern.A difference of opinion may it be political or otherwise, instead of being settled through debate leads to a violent outcome.This intolerance which has reached its apex point due to indifference by those who could have contained it earlier,requires urgent attention to contain and diffuse it.The political parties must avoid provoking followers through hateful speeches at public gatherings.
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May 08, 2018 03:44pm
Attack on politicians directly affect the stability of the country. The govt. must apprehend the culprits. No excuse is acceptable.
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