Attempted assassination of Imran Khan

On 3 November 2022, Imran Khan, former prime minister of Pakistan and chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) political party, was shot in an assassination attempt in Wazirabad, Punjab, during the 2022 Azadi March II against the Pakistan government.[3][4] The gunman also injured a number of other PTI leaders and killed a supporter.[5][6]

Shooting of Imran Khan
LocationWazirabad, Punjab, Pakistan
Coordinates32°25′57″N 74°06′55″E
Date3 November 2022 (2022-11-03)
TargetImran Khan
Attack type
Weapons
Deaths1 (PTI supporter)
Injured9 (including Khan)
AccusedMuhammad Naveed[1][2]
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Imran Khan's signature

Background

Ousting of Imran Khan
Further information: 2022 Pakistani political crises

A political crisis began in Pakistan in 2022 when the opposition Pakistan Democratic Movement tabled a no-confidence motion against Imran Khan. The crisis involved a constitutional crisis when President Arif Alvi dissolved parliament on Khan's recommendation.[7] The Supreme Court reinstated the parliament[8][9] and Khan lost the no-confidence motion, being succeeded by current prime minister Shehbaz Sharif.[10][11]

Khan has blamed his ousting on an "American conspiracy", calling the current administration an "imported government".[12]

2022 Azadi March-II
Main article: 2022 Azadi March-II

The 2022 Azadi March-II is a march on Islamabad from Lahore which commenced on 28 October 2022, conducted by Khan and his supporters to protest the government's refusal to hold early elections.[13]

Assassination attempt
Khan at Shaukat Khanum hospital

On 3 November 2022, while Khan was giving a speech in Wazirabad, Punjab, to his supporters, shots were fired by a gunman at Khan's container-mounted-truck. According to an aide of Khan, the truck was fired at six times.[14] A Khan supporter by the name of Ibtisam[15] tried to tackle the gunman.[16]

Khan was shot in the shin and thigh on the right leg and was transferred to Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre in Lahore, where he underwent treatment. His doctor, Faisal Sultan, said that X-rays and scans showed bullet fragments lodged in Khan's legs, and that his tibia was fractured.[17] A leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) said that his condition was stable.[18] In the hospital, Khan met Ibtisam, the person who tried to tackle the gunman. Khan gave Ibtisam his thanks and an autograph.

In total, nine people were injured, including Khan and Senator Faisal Javed Khan, and one killed.[19][20]

Suspects

The Punjab Police announced that they had arrested the gunman who had shot Khan, identifying him as Muhammad Naveed.[1][2] In a video shared by the police, the suspect stated that he shot Khan as he was "spreading hatred and misleading the people", as well as making "blasphemous and anti-religion" remarks.[21][22] He also stated that he was upset that Khan's march had been playing music and had been dancing during the Azaan.[23] He added that he was acting on his own and only wanted to kill Khan.[24][25] The video was dismissed by Khan's allies as a "cover-up".[26] The Punjab Police on 5 November stated that Naveed was a drug addict and the veracity of his statements was questionable.[22]

Two other suspects were later arrested and identified as Waqas and Faisal Butt.[27] The two were accused of providing an unlicensed pistol to Naveed for the attack, as well as selling other pistols and bullets to him for Rs. 20,000.[28] Two PML-N activists named Mudassir Nazir and Ahsan Ali were arrested for their social media posts in January 2023, along with Tayyab Butt who was accused of helping Naveed obtain the pistol.[29]

Reactions

Domestic

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack on Khan "in the strongest words", praying for the recovery of Khan and the other people who were injured, and saying, "I have directed Interior Minister for an immediate report [sic] on the incident." He also said that the federal government would provide all necessary support to the provincial government in Punjab in security and investigation.[30][31]

The Pakistani military condemned the attack and offered "sincere prayers for precious life lost and speedy recovery of Khan".[32]

The following politicians have also denounced the attack:[33]

PTI members Asad Umar and Mian Aslam released a statement, saying that Khan has asked them to issue it on his behalf. They said that Khan "believes there are 3 people on whose behest this was done – Shehbaz Sharif, Rana Sanaullah and Major General Faisal Naseer". He said he was receiving information and is saying this on that basis. One day after Khan was shot, he stated "I will give a call to march on Islamabad once I get better".[34]

International

See also

References
  1. "PTI long march attack: What we know about the attacker?". Daily Pakistan Global. 3 November 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  2. Roushan, Anurag (3 November 2022). "Pakistan: Pic of suspected assailant firing gunshot at Imran Khan's rally emerges". indiatvnews.com. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  3. "Imran Khan survives assassination attempt at PTI's long march". The Express Tribune. 3 November 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  4. "Former Prime Minister Imran Khan shot in lower leg in reported assassination attempt in Pakistan". CNN. 3 November 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  5. Waqar, Dawn com | Reuters | Imran Gabol | Ali (3 November 2022). "One killed, 7 injured in attack on PTI's convoy in Wazirabad". Dawn. Pakistan. Retrieved 4 November 2022. {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  6. Peshimam, Gibran Naiyyar; Shahzad, Asif; Bukhari, Mubasher (3 November 2022). "Ousted Pakistan PM Imran Khan shot in shin in what aides call assassination attempt". Reuters. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  7. Khan, Dawn com | Sanaullah (3 April 2022). "President Alvi dissolves National Assembly on PM Imran's advice". Dawn. Pakistan. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  8. Bhatti, Dawn com | Haseeb (7 April 2022). "Supreme Court restores National Assembly, orders no-confidence vote to be held on Saturday". Dawn. Pakistan. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  9. "Pakistan supreme court reinstates parliament, orders no-confidence vote against PM". Arab News. 7 April 2022. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  10. "Imran Khan ousted as Pakistan's PM after vote". BBC News. 9 April 2022. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  11. Shahzad, Asif; Hassan, Syed Raza (9 April 2022). "Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan ousted in no-confidence vote". Reuters. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  12. "Anti-Americanism in Pakistan • Stimson Center". Stimson Center. 10 May 2022. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  13. "Long march sets off for 'Haqeeqi Azadi'". The Express Tribune. 28 October 2022. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  14. "Updates: Imran Khan Injured After Firing At His Rally, Gunman Arrested". NDTV.com. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  15. Marsi, Federica. "Former Pakistani PM Imran Khan shot and wounded at rally". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  16. Video | Watch: Imran Khan Shooter Seen On Camera With Gun, retrieved 3 November 2022
  17. Shah, Saeed (3 November 2022). "Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan Shot in Leg at Protest Rally". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  18. "Pakistan ex-PM Imran Khan shot and wounded at protest march". BBC News. 3 November 2022. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  19. Bhandari, Shashwat (3 November 2022). "WATCH: Moment when Imran Khan was shot by gunman during rally in Pakistan's Wazirabad". indiatvnews.com. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  20. News Desk. "PTI Chairman Imran Khan Shot As Container Comes Under Attack". The Friday Times.
  21. "Imran's container was attacked from three sides, including from roof of a workshop". Indo Asian News Service. 4 November 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  22. "Pakistan: Imran Khan's attacker, Naveed, is a drug addict, probe reveals". Indo Asian News Service. 5 November 2022. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
  23. "'Just Want to Kill Him', Imran Khan's Attacker Says Ex-Pak PM 'Misleading People, Committing Blasphemy'". New18. 3 November 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  24. Ahmed, Munir; Butt, Riazat (3 November 2022). "Pakistan's ex-PM Imran Khan wounded in shooting at protest". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  25. "Pakistan's ex-PM Imran Khan wounded in shooting at protest". Yahoo! News. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  26. "Imran Khan: Shock and condemnation over attack on Pakistan ex-PM". BBC News. 4 November 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  27. "More details emerge in Imran attack as police interrogate suspect". The Express Tribune. 4 November 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  28. "Firing Incident: Police detain two more suspects from Wazirabad". Daily Times. 4 November 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  29. "3 More Suspects Arrested Over Imran Khan's Assassination Attempt". Press Trust of India. NDTV. 16 January 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  30. Web Desk. "Video: Pakistan's Imran Khan shot in leg during long march; PM Sharif condemns attack". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  31. "Condemn the incident of firing on PTI Chairman Imran Khan: PAK PM Shehbaz Sharif". Mid-day. 3 November 2022. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  32. "Pakistan Army decries attack on Imran Khan". geo.tv. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  33. "Pakistan Army denounces assassination attempt on Imran Khan". The News International. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  34. Bhandari, Shashwat (3 November 2022). "Imran Khan accuses Shehbaz Sharif, Army Major General Faisal, among 3 people for attack at his rally". indiatvnews.com. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  35. "Reaction to wounding of former Pakistan PM Imran Khan". Reuters. 3 November 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  36. "Egypt condemns assassination attempt of former Pakistani PM Imran Khan". Egypt Today. 4 November 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  37. "India's First Reaction On Imran Khan Being Shot During Rally in Pakistan". NDTV.com. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  38. "Iran condemns assassination attempt against Imran Khan". Tehran Times. 4 November 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  39. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway [@norwaymfa] (4 November 2022). "Norway strongly condemns the attack [...]" (Tweet). Retrieved 4 November 2022 – via Twitter.
  40. "Gulftimes : Qatar strongly condemns attempted assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister". Gulf Times. 4 November 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  41. "Saudi Arabia strongly condemns attempt to assassinate Khan". Arab News. 3 November 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  42. "Türkiye wishes 'swift recovery' to Pakistan's former PM Imran Khan". trtworld.com. TRT World. 4 November 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  43. "UAE, Iran condemn assassination attempt on Imran Khan". Dunya News. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  44. "UAE strongly condemns assassination attempt on Imran Khan". gulftoday.ae. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  45. "World leaders denounce assassination attempt on Imran Khan". The Express Tribune. 3 November 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
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