LAHORE: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, among others condemned the firing incident that left Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal wounded earlier on Sunday.
Earlier today, Ahsan Iqbal was shot and wounded after he was leaving Kanjoor village in Narowal after addressing a gathering. The perpetrator, Abid Hussain, confessed to his crime saying that he shot the lawmaker over the Khatm-e-Nabuwat issue.
A representative of the lawmaker tweeted from Ahsan’s official account: “Allah Almighty has been very kind. We request all friends and well-wishers to remember him in their special prayers.”
PM Abbasi condemned the gruesome attack on Iqbal, while he also wished for the speedy recovery of the minister. COAS also condemned the incident and sent his best wishes to Ahsan, DG ISPR Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor said on Twitter.
Punjab CM and fellow-PMLN leader Shehbaz Sharif said: “Strongly condemn the assassination attempt on my friend Ahsan Iqbal. Just spoke to him and he is in high spirits MashaAllah. Those who indulged in this heinous act will be brought to justice. PMLN will not be browbeaten into submission. Prayers for quick recover.”
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan tweeted: “Strongly condemn attack on Ahsan Iqbal today.”
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Co-Chairman Bilawal Bhutto tweeted: “Strongly condemn the attack on interior minister Ashan Iqbal. Praying for his swift recovery IA. There needs to be a complete and thorough investigation into incident.”
PTI leader Jahangir Tareen tweeted: “Strongly condemn the incident of firing on Ahsan Iqbal. I hope his injury is a minor one and he recovers quickly. May Allah keep us all safe whatever our personal political beliefs.”
Ahsan Iqbal is currently receiving treatment in Lahore, while the attacker is in custody of the law enforcement agencies.
The perpetrator, identified as Abid Hussain, confessed to his crime saying that he attacked the lawmaker over the Khatm-e-Nabuwat issue and that it was his individual act.
The 21-year-old is the resident of Kanjoor village, where Ahsan had earlier addressed a gathering before being shot.