RAHIM YAR KHAN: Two Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) members of the Punjab Assembly (MPAs) narrowly escaped an attack and firing on their vehicle near Sardargarh town on the National Highway (N-5), about 50 kilometres from Rahim Yar Khan, on Thursday night.

Reports said MPAs Saima Kanwal (PP-260) and Jam Amaanullah (PP-261), PTI leader Shamil Mirza, and other party workers were en route to the city in separate vehicles for the by-election campaign of PTI candidate Hassan Mustafa for NA-171.

Unidentified attackers armed with guns and sticks stopped their vehicles near Quetta Hotel and began firing. The windscreen of one car was shattered, but both Kanwal and Amaanullah remained unharmed, as they were in another vehicle.

The attackers also fired shots in the air.

In the incident, PTI South Punjab Insaf Youth Wing General Secretary Arslan Waqar Dayvel, Punjab Deputy General Secretary Shamil Mirza, and PTI Youth Wing Leader Rana Faryad were injured.

PTI leaders condemned the attack and demanded that the returning officer, deputy commissioner and the district police officer take action against the culprits.

Zahirpir police registered FIR 1385/24 under various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code. It said that 10-15 gunmen were involved in damaging vehicles and motorcycles and engaging in aerial firing.

The attackers fled towards Sardargarh before the police arrived.

Published in Dawn, September 7th, 2024