Attack on interior minister: Shooter 'showed affiliation' with Tehreek-i-Labbaik, DC Narowal says
A suspect who was arrested for the assassination attempt on Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal on Sunday evening has a declared affiliation with the Tehreek-i-Labbaik, it emerged late last night.
In a preliminary report sent to the Punjab chief secretary hours after the attack, the Narowal deputy commissioner reported that the suspect had identified himself as Abid Hussain, son of Mohammad Hussain, a resident of Verum village, Tehsil Shakargarh of Narowal district.
"He further showed his affiliation with Tahrik-e-Labbaik [sic]," the DC's letter read.

Abid had allegedly fired at Iqbal from a distance of some 15 yards after the interior minister wrapped up a corner meeting in his constituency in Narowal yesterday evening.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Arif Nawaz had earlier told Dawn that the 22-year-old suspect, who was arrested from the spot, had confessed to attempting to assassinate the minister over the issue of Khatm-i-Nabuwwat (finality of prophethood).
District Police Officer (DPO) Imran Kishwar had told reporters that the suspect had managed to slip into the gathering carrying a 30-bore weapon, which he later pulled out and fired at the minister.
Thankfully, the people standing around the assailant overpowered him before he could fire a second shot at his target. The policemen present at the site then arrested the suspect, seized his weapon and shifted him to a police station. The motorcycle of the suspect is also in police custody.
"Police are investigating the matter further," the DC's letter to the Punjab chief secretary read.
The Khatm-i-Nabuwwat connection
Late last year, some changes were made to the Khatm-i-Nabuwwat declaration required of prospective lawmakers under new laws drafted by the ruling PML-N in consultation with opposition parties.
The changes eventually became law under the Elections Act 2017, which was steamrolled through parliament amidst loud criticism from opposition parties, which saw it as a means to shoe-horn the then recently-ousted Nawaz Sharif back into power.
The law's passage had triggered protests by various religious parties, spearheaded by the TLP, who saw the modification to the Khatm-i-Nabuwwat declaration as a severe transgression on Muslims' religious sensibilities.
These protests had culminated in a 22-day sit-in at Islamabad's busy Faizabad Interchange in November 2017 which seriously disrupted daily life in the twin cities.
Read: Islamabad High Court declares Faizabad sit-in ‘a terrorist act’
The sit-in had finally ended after top civil-military officials mediated with the protesters following a botched operation, signing off on a number of demands made by TLP.
In the agreement, both the sides had expressed their gratitude to Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Bajwa, saying the agreement came about as a result of efforts made by the army chief and his team.
Amidst criticism of the accord reached with the protesters, Interior Minister Iqbal had said that while the agreement that ended the Faizabad sit-in had not been "desirable", the government had been left with little choice in the matter.
"Document of finishing dharna was not desirable but there was little choice because if [the] situation had persisted [for] another 24 hrs there would be riots," Iqbal had said in a tweet at the time.
Following the Faizabad dharna, the PML-N government has repeatedly been branded as a party of apostates and blasphemers by fringe religious groups.
Examine: Rise of Barelvi activism
Several religious edicts have also been issued stating that voting for the PML-N is haram (forbidden under Islamic law).
TLP condemns attack
Meanwhile, Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) issued a statement condemning the attack on the minister and attempted to paint it as some sort of pre-election conspiracy.
TLP chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi and Pir Afzal Qadri, in a joint statement, demanded that the government initiate a judicial inquiry into the attack.
The attack on the minister, just months ahead of the 2018 general elections, needs to be probed, they said, adding that TLP is a peaceful religio-political party that believes in change through political struggle and democratic processes.
Minister shifted to ICU after surgeries
Iqbal underwent two consecutive surgeries right after the attack and has since been shifted to the Intensive Care Unit of the Services Hospital in Lahore.
The medical superintendent of the Services Hospital, Dr Ameer, has said Iqbal is in stable condition and the minister will be kept under observation for 24 hours.
Iqbal will be kept under treatment at the hospital till his recovery, the doctor added.
According to the medical superintendent, doctors had decided not to remove the bullet from Iqbal's body as the procedure could create some complications. The bullet had fractured an elbow joint of the minister before burrowing into his abdomen, the doctor said.
On Sunday, the interior minister was rushed to the District Headquarters Hospital after he the assassination attempt. After being administered first aid there, he was airlifted to the Services Hospital in Lahore to undergo surgery.
Punjab government forms JIT
Punjab government on Monday, acting upon Punjab's Inspector General of Police's (IGP) request, formed a joint investigation team (JIT) to probe the assassination attempt on Iqbal.
The five-member JIT has SSP Khalid Bashir Cheema, SP Counter-Terrorism Department Faisal Gulzar Awan and a member each from the Inter-Services Intelligence and Intelligence Bureau.
DIG Investigation Branch Waqas Nazir was appointed the team's convener and granted the power to acquire the services of more officers, if required.
The JIT has begun investigating the case from multiple angles.
Comments (31) Closed
Good news that Ahdan Iqbal is now in a stable condition, and I wish him a full and speedy recovery. This incident highlighted that our politicians should avoid making inciting and sentimental speeches against religion, judiciary, army and nation's sovereignty for personal motives!
Very sad incident. Our prayers for quick recovery.
I hope he makes a speedy recovery. Glad he is stable and this cowardly attack is condemned by all sides.
Ahsan Iqbal has done lot of effort for the progress of Pakistan. We must protect our leader. This attacker is just a tool, people behind him needs to be pulled from the roots.
Education must be promoted on urgent basis to change people minds.
We have seen closely that this party is not peaceful by any means. Remember seeing how a poor policeman brutally killed by them at Faizabad. The statement of Rizvi may not be believed at all. They are all violent.
When will he he be sent abroad for treatment ?
My best wishes and prayers for Ahsan Iqbal's speedy recovery.
@Owl. With all due respect. But what efforts has he made for the progress of Pakistan.
70years of Pakistan independence and after the tragedy of east pakistan we didn’t learn any lesson,and day by day things became bad to worse. Intolerance in society and division between many sects makes things worse.still time to rethink and review our policies to bring the things on track otherwise a point of no return will come.
It was expected after the Faizabad episode.
Ban all religious parties from political main stream politics and they should not allowed to take part in political activities
Things coming out of closet now.
Simply madness in the name of religion.
Playing with the emotions of people whether in the name of politics, culture or religion can lead to such acts of insanity. This requires a moment of reflection for us. Prayers for fast recovery of Minister Saab.
Ahsan Iqbal, a very learned and competent person. We pray for his speedy recovery.
The religious extremism by any name has been sucking our country dry and hollow.
Sad incident, prayers for quick recovery.
@jawaid - sad for Ahsan. But he is a part of corrupt party and supports a dishonest and disqualified NS.
What he had affiliation with Tahrik Labaik ? Well he is not guilty then. Actually he should be given some money.
@Birdie Num Num he has been the minister in charge of CPEC, much of the work has been negotiated by him and his department.
Wake up people this is all drama these looters must go and spend rest of their lives in jail for taking this promised land into dark ages!!
Expect no mercy you looters !!!
@Ahsan Gul does it make him less competent? If yes then look around zardari and imran khan their parties are also filled.
@Sheraz Ali - Dear Sir , your comment is probably the most intelligent one I have ever read on Dawn - while there are people like you on Pakistan there is still hope !
Please ban all religious parties, they are NO good.
@Guddu we need to grow up as a nation. Such a statement at a sad and unfortunate incident shows extreme immaturity. Nothing else
@RUMI Well Said
This is a sad news, but the irony & boastfulness that Punjab has gone through development has been exposed as Mr Ahsan Iqbal could not been given proper treatment in his own hometown & constituency of Narowal where billons have been spent on a sports complex but not hospital, where he could be given same like treatment that he underwent in Lahore instead of being airlifted to Lahore, just because he is PML N member & a sitting minister. Imagine how the public is facing similar issue.
The guy in the picture is just a pawn. Prosecuting him will not solve the underlying issue
Where was the interior ministers security detail. They should be positioned so that no assassin can get a clear shot and is disrupted. Security needs a review. The Assassin should be given the ultimate punishment.
Wish him quick recovery. What is his exact job and who will be replacing his duties while he is recovering ?