NAROWAL: Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal was wounded in an apparent assassination attempt on Sunday, officials said, an incident likely to heighten political tensions ahead of general elections expected in late July. State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry said Iqbal was hit by a bullet in his arm in the attack in Narowal district, his constituency in central Punjab. “The minister luckily survived. Thanks God he is out of danger,” Chaudhry said. The attacker was arrested immediately after the shooting, officials said. The assailant, Abid Hussain, shot at the interior minister from a distance of 15 yards as the latter entered his vehicle to leave the rally ground in tehsil Kanjrur, DPO Imran Kishwar said. An initial report issued by the police said Iqbal’s bone was fractured after he received a bullet in his right shoulder. Workers of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), standing near the assailant, tackled the man after he opened fire at Iqbal, said Punjab government spokesperson Malik Ahmed Khan. He further said the suspect was stopped from firing a second shot. A 30-bore pistol was seized from the arrested suspect, aged 20-22 years, the DPO said. Abid is reportedly a resident of Narowal. Iqbal was shifted to the hospital immediately after the attack. His son, Ahmed, confirmed that he was conscious and out of danger. A senior government official said early information suggested Iqbal was returning from a meeting with a Christian group. “We are not sure whether it has got anything to do with the motive. We will know only after investigation of the attacker,” he said. Punjab Inspector General of Police Captain (r) Arif Nawaz Khan took notice of the incident and summoned a report from Narowal DPO. The police chief issued orders to take strict legal action against the suspect. President Mamnoon Hussain strongly condemned the attack. In a statement issued by the President House, he prayed for early recovery of the federal minister and also sympathized with the family. He said that the difference of opinion should not be expressed through violent means. He viewed that intolerance was cancerous for the society and the biggest hurdle in the way of stability. He said that any attempt to create chaos and violence in the country would not be tolerated. Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi telephoned Ahsan Iqbal to inquire after him. He prayed for early recovery of the minister. He also strongly condemned the incident and sought immediate report from the Inspector General of Punjab Police on the matter. Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif also condemned the heinous attack on the federal minister’s life. Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa condemned the attack and wished an early recovery to the minister, according to Director-General of Inter-Services Public Relations Major General Asif Ghafoor. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan strongly condemned the attack on the interior minister. Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari also condemned the incident and expressed the need to stop such incidents. “Religious, ethnic, and political divide and oppositions are used for personal and sectarian interest. May Allah bless Ahsan Iqbal with life. No one will remain spared from this hatred. This menace of hatred will destroy everything. For God’s sake, together we have to work for our country,” disqualified foreign minister Kh Asif said in an Urdu tweet, condemning the attack on Ahsan Iqbal. Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Khursheed Shah condemned the assassination attempt on Iqbal. He also called for a detailed report into the brazen attack. “This incident has raised a major question mark on the security situation in the country and there is a dire need to have foolproof security arrangements in place for the upcoming general elections,” he added. Published in Daily Times, May 7th 2018.