Huge criticism and allegations following Imran Khan's attack on the Pakistani prime minister: Top 10

  • Nov. 4, 2022, 11:36 a.m.

Months after he was ousted from power, Imran Khan, Pakistan’s former prime minister, was reported to have faced an attempt on his life. He suffered an injury to his leg following gunfire targeting his vehicle. The attack took place during a protest march in the Pakistani city of Wazirabad on Thursday evening. A person accused of the assassination attempt has been arrested. One person died and at least five others were injured amid the gunfire.

Here are the top points of the attack on Imran Khan:

1) The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of Khan, the 70-year-old cricketer-turned-politician who has been calling for fresh elections in the country ever since his government collapsed, has blamed Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif and two others for the attack. His protesters also held widespread protests.

2) "Sirf Imran Khan ko maarna tha (I came only to kill Imran Khan)... I did this because he is misleading people. "I couldn't accept it," the accused was heard saying in a leaked clip.

"Violence has no place in politics, and we call on all parties to refrain from violence, harassment, and intimidation," U.S. Secretary of State, Antony J. Blinken, was quoted as saying in an official statement amid the outpouring of reactions. The United States, he further added, "is deeply committed to a democratic and peaceful Pakistan, and we stand with the Pakistani people," as Blinken wished a speedy recovery to Khan and others injured; he also condoled the death during the rally.

4) Earlier in his statement, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had also made similar remarks on the use of violence. "I condemn the incident of firing on PTI Chairman Imran Khan in the strongest terms. "I have directed the Interior Minister for an immediate report on the incident," he tweeted, stressing that his government would offer all the support it needs for a thorough probe.

5) The country's media watchdog, the Pakistan Electronic and Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra), is reported to have stopped news channels from broadcasting remarks by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Umar following the attack on Khan. Umar had reportedly blamed Shehbaz Sharif, the country's Interior Minister, and a top ISI general.

6) "Broadcasting of such content is likely to create hatred among the people or is prejudicial to the maintenance of law and order or is likely to disturb public peace and tranquilly or endanger national security," the watchdog stated, citing Article 19 of the Constitution and Section 27 of PEMRA Ordinance 2002, Pak daily -- the Dawn -- reported.

7) Ensuring that the accused would be brought to justice, Punjab’s Chief Minister Chaudhary Parvez Elahi said on Thursday night: "The police personnel who leaked the statement to the media (of the accused) have been suspended, and the mobile phone has been seized."

8). Elahi also said in a video statement that Khan was stable and that there was suspicion that not one but two people were involved.

9). Other countries have also responded. Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry, in a statement, said that it stands with the "people of Pakistan" against all threats to its security and development process.

10) India’s ministry of external affairs had earlier said: "We're closely keeping an eye on and we'll continue to monitor ongoing developments."

Author : Rajdhani Delhi Representative

Rajdhani delhi representative

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