MPA Asad Khokhar's brother killed after assailants open fire during son's wedding in Lahore

Published August 6, 2021
MPA Malik Asad Ali Khokhar. — Photo courtesy Facebook/File
MPA Malik Asad Ali Khokhar. — Photo courtesy Facebook/File

MPA Malik Asad Ali Khokhar's brother, Mubashir Khokhar, was killed after unknown assailants opened fire during the MPA's son's wedding in Lahore on Friday.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Dr Shahbaz Gill said that the attackers had opened fire after coming close to Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar's car, who was also present at the wedding ceremony being held in Defence.

The attacker has been arrested by the chief minister's security team, he added.

Punjab government spokesperson Mussarat Cheema also disclosed that the chief minister was present in the ceremony when the firing occurred.

"A large number of people were present in the ceremony. Asad Khokhar remained safe. The chief minister and other personalities are safe," she added. "A jeep exited at high speed when I reached there."

A police spokesperson also said that the attacker was arrested. "Mubashir Khokar was taken to the hospital in a critically injured condition [but] he did not survive," he added.

Police said evidence was being collected from the site of the incident and a case would be registered after a complaint was received.

Meanwhile, CM Buzdar took notice of the incident and directed the inspector general of police to submit a report in this regard.

A statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office said that Buzdar had ordered an inquiry into security arrangements for the wedding, directing that further action be taken against those found responsible for any lapses.

"Action should be taken against the arrested suspect in accordance with the law," the statement quoted Buzdar as saying.

The statement further said that according to initial investigations, the firing appeared to be the result of a "personal enmity".

Asad Khokar had met Buzdar at the Chief Minister's Office earlier today. During the meeting, Buzdar decided to re-appoint Khokar as a provincial minister.

The MPA was due to take oath of office tomorrow, according to a statement from the Chief Minister's Office. However, the statement did not mention what portfolio would be assigned to Khokar, who had previously held the charge of minister for wildlife and fisheries before being asked to resign in July 2020.

Opinion

Editorial

Digital growth
Updated 25 Apr, 2024

Digital growth

Democratising digital development will catalyse a rapid, if not immediate, improvement in human development indicators for the underserved segments of the Pakistani citizenry.
Nikah rights
25 Apr, 2024

Nikah rights

THE Supreme Court recently delivered a judgement championing the rights of women within a marriage. The ruling...
Campus crackdowns
25 Apr, 2024

Campus crackdowns

WHILE most Western governments have either been gladly facilitating Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza, or meekly...
Ties with Tehran
Updated 24 Apr, 2024

Ties with Tehran

Tomorrow, if ties between Washington and Beijing nosedive, and the US asks Pakistan to reconsider CPEC, will we comply?
Working together
24 Apr, 2024

Working together

PAKISTAN’S democracy seems adrift, and no one understands this better than our politicians. The system has gone...
Farmers’ anxiety
24 Apr, 2024

Farmers’ anxiety

WHEAT prices in Punjab have plummeted far below the minimum support price owing to a bumper harvest, reckless...