Pakistan: Imran Khan shot at during Gujranwala rally, out of danger

Islamabad, Nov 03: Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was injured when an unidentified gunman opened fire on the container-mounted-truck carrying him during his protest march. Imran Khan was rushed to a hospital in Lahore and he is out of danger now.

In a statement, the Punjab police said that seven people were injured and one person was killed during the attack on Khan.

The incident occurred near Allahwala Chowk of Wazirabad town in Punjab when Khan, a cricketer-turned-politician, was leading the long march to Islamabad demanding early elections. The gunman was immediately arredted by security officers and workers of Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.

Initially, it was reported that Khan was safe while some people were injured. However, later it turned out that Khan was also injured. There are also reports that Khan's close aide Senator Faisal Javed was also injured in the attack.

The incident brings back chilling memories of how former prime minister Benazir Bhutto was shot dead during a rally in 2007.

It may be recalled that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief had claimed that a conspiracy was being hatched to assassinate him.

"A conspiracy is afoot to take my life. I got full knowledge of this conspiracy a few days ago. The conspiracy is being hatched here and abroad against me in closed rooms. I have recorded a video about this conspiracy, naming all those involved in it. If something happens to me then the people will come to know who was behind this conspiracy," Imran Khan said at a big gathering at Sialkot in Punjab province.

The cricker-turned politician came to power in 2018 with promises to create a 'Naya Pakistan' (new Pakistan), but miserably failed to address the basic problem of Pakistan citizens. During his tenure, inflation gone up to record highs at over 12 per cent which has pushed up the rates of essential goods including food. Poor is worst affected as they reportedly struggle to find ends meet.

with PTI inputs