Shahbaz Gill survives car crash on M2

Car was chased and deliberately hit under a plot, road accident an ‘assassination’ attempt, says PTI leader

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Dr Shahbaz Gill’s car overturned near Khanqah Dogran on the M2 Motorway while travelling from Lahore to Islamabad, but the four people inside the vehicle remained safe, sustaining minor injuries.

The former special assistant to prime minister was travelling from Lahore to Islamabad with three others when his car was hit from behind near Khanqah Dogran. The driver lost control of the car and it overturned.

Upon receiving information, the patrolling personnel of the Motorway Police rushed to the spot, and with the help of some passers-by pulled the four persons out of the vehicle.

According to the police, the four passengers sustained minor injuries in the accident and were shifted to the hospital for medical treatment.

In photos available with The Express Tribune, Gill can be seen standing near his car with a water bottle in his hand. Their clothes were scratched and stains of engine oil were visible on them.

Later, the PTI leader, in a series of tweets, claimed that the incident was a “murder attempt”.

“I want to tell those who attacked me that I am alive because of the Almighty and the prayers of the nation,” he said.

مجھ پر قاتلانہ حملہ کروانے والوں کو بتانا چاہتا ہوں۔ اپنے مولا اور قوم کی دعاؤں کی وجہ سے زندہ ہوں۔ میری گاڑی کا پیچھا کر کے جان بوجھ کر ہٹ کیا گیا۔یہ ایک منصوبے کے تحت کیا گیا

میں نے کل ہی کہا تھا کہ کیا زیادہ سے زیادہ آپ ہمیں قتل کروا دیں گے ؟ کروا لیں۔ غداری نہیں کروں گا۔

— Dr. Shahbaz GiLL (@SHABAZGIL) May 5, 2022

“I said yesterday that the most you can do is get us killed; do it, but I will not betray [my cause],” he added.

Gill said that he stood with Imran yesterday, he is standing with him today, and he will continue standing with him.

Read: Want friendship with US on equal footing, says Shahbaz Gill

“I want to tell the people that they will also attack Khan,” he said. “They will try to silence us at all costs.”

خان کے ساتھ کھڑا تھا کھڑا ہوں اور کھڑا رہوں گا۔میں آج قوم کو بتانا چاہتا ہوں یہ خان پر بھی حملہ آور ہوں گے۔ یہ ہر قیمت پر ہمیں چپ کروانے کی کوشش کریں گے۔ بیرونی سازش اس کے لوکل ہینڈلرز اور غداروں کو یہ پتہ ہے کہ خان اور اس کے ساتھی چپ نہیں بیٹھیں گے انشاللہ سب کو بے نقاب کریں گے

— Dr. Shahbaz GiLL (@SHABAZGIL) May 5, 2022

He also said that “traitors” and “local handlers” of a foreign conspiracy are unaware that Imran and his supporters will not remain silent. “God-willing, we will expose everyone,” he added.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif on Thursday ordered a probe into the accident. Taking notice of the incident, the prime minister directed the authorities concerned to ensure justice in the investigation process.

He expressed sympathies over the injuries to Dr Shahbaz Gill and his companions. He also directed for providing the best medical treatment to the injured PTI leader and others.