ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal was shot in the arm in a suspected assassination attempt at a public meeting in Punjab on Sunday.
"Ahsan Iqbal was targeted and shot in the arm," Asim Khan, a special aide to the politician, told news agencies. "He is out of danger and being taken to a medical facility in Lahore. The attacker has been arrested."
Malik Ahmed Khan, a spokesman for the Punjab government, told AFP: "The attacker was about to fire a second shot when police and people in the meeting overpowered him."
Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi condemned the attack.
Abbasi’s office said he has called for an immediate report into the incident from the inspector general of Punjab police.
Iqbal, leader of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), was attacked in his hometown Narowal in Punjab province.
Police officer Imran Kishwar told Arab News that Iqbal will be moved to Lahore soon, and police will share further details about the suspect after completing the interrogation.
The attack has been widely condemned.
"Strongly condemn the assassination attempt on my friend Ahsan Iqbal... Just spoke to him & he is in high spirits," tweeted Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.
"Those who indulged in this heinous act will be brought to justice," he continued. "PML-N will not be browbeaten into submission... Prayers for quick recovery!!"
Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa also condemned the firing on Federal Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal. “Expresses best wishes for early recovery,” military media wing ISPR said.
Opposition leader Imran Khan tweeted: “Strongly condemn attack on Ahsan Iqbal today.”
Sen. Sherry Rehman of the Pakistan People's Party tweeted: “Very sorry to hear about injury to Ahsan Iqbal @betterpakistan. Hope he recovers soon and thoughts, prayers with his family. Allah keep all of us in his protection.”
Baluchistan’s Home Minister Sarfraz Bugti tweeted: “I request all political parties to condemn this gruesome act.”
The present government will complete its term at the end of this month, and general elections are expected to take place on July 15.
Iqbal, who was touted as a potential prime minister when Sharif was ousted last July, is a US-educated lawmaker from a political family long associated with the PML-N.
Considered the brains behind the party's development agenda, he previously headed up the Planning Ministry.
