LAHORE: Armed men shot dead ruling PTI MPA Malik Asad Ali Khokhar’s brother Mubashar Khokhar after storming the wedding ceremony of Asad’s son in Defence on Friday.

Two persons were injured in the attack which appears to be an outcome of security lapse. Mubashar Khokhar suffered multiple injuries and died on way to hospital.

Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, federal and provincial ministers, MNAs, MPAs and other dignitaries were attending the event organised at a farmhouse in DHA Phase 7.

There were conflicting reports about the presence of the chief minister. Eyewitnesses told media persons that two armed men turned up at the wedding party of the MPA’s son when the CM had just left the venue and was sitting in his car. Others said the CM was attending the ceremony when the suspects opened fire.

CM orders IGP to fix responsibility for security lapse

A source said Asad Khokhar and his brothers Mubashar and Mudassir had come out to see the chief minister off when the rivals opened fire.

The incident led to a stampede as the guests rushed for shelter, eyewitnesses said, adding that many of them tried to use tables as shields. The gunshots created panic in and around the venue.

A police official said when the CM’s motorcade was about to leave, the armed men opened fire injuring Mubashar Khokhar, brother of Asad Khokhar, and his friend. He said the CM’s security staff rounded up one of the attackers who was later identified as Nazim Ali, a resident of Multan Road, and handed him over to police.

The police official said the armed attack was the result of an enmity of Mubhashar Khokhar with a group of his area. Both parties are residents of Manawala near Multan Road. He said the assailant fired four shots on Mubashar which proved fatal and it showed he was the prime target of the suspected killer.

The incident annoyed the chief minister who expressed his displeasure over poor security arrangements. He issued directions to Inspector General of Police Inam Ghani to order an inquiry into the incident and fix responsibility on the police officers who failed to provide security.

Capital City Police Officer Ghulam Mahmood Dogar, DIG Operations Sajid Kiani and other senior police officers also reached the site for investigation.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2021