LAHORE: A Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader and former candidate for a National Assembly (NA-136) seat from Okara, Muhammad Abdullah Tahir, was shot dead in Gulberg here on Wednesday.
According to initial reports, the PTI leader had arrived from Okara for a medical check-up at a clinic. He was waiting for his turn to be examined by the doctor, when two armed men arrived at the clinic on motorcycle, sprayed bullets on Tahir, and fled away.
The PTI leader succumbed to his bullet wounds soon after the attack.
The killing caused a wave of grief and concern among political circles as the victim was a known figure of Okara district.
A physician, later identified as Dr Riaz Khan, also suffered a bullet injury during the armed attack. He is said to be out of danger.
As per police sources, a security camera captured the suspects who were wearing helmets as they parked their bike outside the clinic.
The footage showed the suspects entering the clinic and opening fire, still wearing helmets.
On being informed of the incident, DIG operations and other senior police officials reached the site, along with forensic experts, and launched investigation into the killing.
The DIG told media persons that the suspects appear to be hired assassins and the motive behind the killing could be some old enmity in Okara.
He said the deceased had earlier survived an armed attack some seven months ago in his native district.
The DIG said the victim came to Lahore for his physiotherapy session at a clinic in Ghalib Market area, where he suffered four bullets in an armed attack, which proved fatal.
He said police teams have been deployed in the area to examine the security cameras data to trace and arrest the killers.
The body has been shifted to the city morgue for autopsy, while further investigations are underway, with no arrest so far.
Tahir was a PTI candidate for PP-188 (Okara ) in 2018 general elections, but was defeated by PML-N’s Yawar Zaman.
Later, in 2024 polls, he intended to contest from NA-136 on the PTI ticket, but was arrested and later surrendered the party nomination.
He was also a contractor of Mines and Mineral Department.
Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2026