The Pakistani Twitter went into a frenzy on Thursday after news of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief and former premier Imran Khan being injured in a gun attack broke.
PTI leaders Senator Faisal Javed, Ahmed Chattha were also injured in the attack, whereas a party worker identified as Rashid and another man identified as Omer Meyer were also wounded in the attack.
I am with Ahmed Chattha. He is out of danger. He has 2 gunshot wounds, one in each thigh. The wounds are not deep and he is being operated upon to remove the bullets.
— Hammad Azhar (@Hammad_Azhar) November 3, 2022
Omer Meyer has one gun shot wound in his leg. He is stable. Our pti worker Rashid has an injured hand and he is also stable. Faisal Javed had a close call with the bullet scratching his cheek He is also stable.
— Hammad Azhar (@Hammad_Azhar) November 3, 2022
Journalist Ihtisham Ul Haq shared the image of the alleged attacker in a tweet asking who the man was.
— M SaYel 🇵🇰 (@shahabsaYel09) November 3, 2022
— M SaYel 🇵🇰 (@shahabsaYel09) November 3, 2022
Meanwhile, supporters have jumped in to praise the "hero" who prevented the alleged assassination attempt from being successful.
The man who stopped the assasin is a national hero. He just saved this country and deserves every award and accolade we can give him
— Zarrar Khuhro (@ZarrarKhuhro) November 3, 2022
The incident occurred on Day 7 of the party's long march to the federal capital. According to media reports, the gunman has been arrested and Imran was safe.
Several media persons and prominent personalities have expressed shock and prayed for the former prime minister's safety.
Senator @FaisalJavedKhan is injured along with @ImranKhanPTI but safe now. May Allah protect everyone. pic.twitter.com/VrjizaOIGB
— Hamid Mir (@HamidMirPAK) November 3, 2022
Very unfortunate that @ImranKhanPTI injured in a gun attack near Wazirabad. He is safe.
— Hamid Mir (@HamidMirPAK) November 3, 2022
⚡️ 'Shots fired' at former Pakistan PM Imran Khan in Gujranwala, gunman arrested - Reports pic.twitter.com/c9HOJ6gSKb
— RT (@RT_com) November 3, 2022
Journalist Cyri Almeida tweeted saying "Pakistan makes you feel ill too often" as he reflected on the incident.
Pakistan makes you feel ill too often...
— cyril almeida (@cyalm) November 3, 2022
Take your country back... Pakistan belongs to the people...
— cyril almeida (@cyalm) November 3, 2022
ایجنسیاں متحرک پولیس پر شدید دباؤ شروع
— Imran Khan (@ImranRiazKhan) November 3, 2022
"Take your country back," he added, "Pakistan belongs to the people" as he noted the eerie similarity between the incident and the late Benazir Bhutto's assassination.
Senior journalist Matiullah Jan also condemned the attack as he urged for the facts to be revealed.
Terrible and tragic. Highly condemnable and cowardly attempt on the life of PTI chairman. Thank God he is safe and the shooter is arrested. Let the truth come out and let the heaven fall for this time at least.
— Matiullah Jan (@Matiullahjan919) November 3, 2022
"Let the truth come out and the heaven fall for this time at least," he added.
The PTI chief has been hospitalised after he received at least one gunshot wound in the leg.
🚨 Imran Khan is in the hospital but out of danger.
— Ihtisham Ul Haq (@iihtishamm) November 3, 2022
Former PM Imran Khan shot in one leg during his Long March in Gojranwala. #longmarch
— Sahar Baloch (@Saherb1) November 3, 2022
Breaking: Imran Khan has been shot and wounded @ImranKhanPTI #ImranKhan #PTI
— George Galloway (@georgegalloway) November 3, 2022
Chaotic scenes were seen as security personnel rushed to secure the premises after the incident occurred.
اللہ سب کی حفاظت فرمائے pic.twitter.com/4k6ylYcgQa
— Pervaiz Sandhila (@chsandhilaa) November 3, 2022
The PTI had resumed its Haqeeqi Azadi March to the federal capital from Wazirabad on Thursday (today), the seventh day of the long march.
The party's official Twitter handle had announced that party chief and deposed premier Imran Khan would spend the day in Wazirabad.
According to PTI leader Hammad Azhar, the rally was to continue from Kot Khizri in Wazirabad from 1 pm today.
The PTI had detailed the seventh day's route, maintaining that the march would begin at Kot Khizri, move to Maulana Zafar Ali Chowk, and conclude the day at Kacchari Chowk in Wazirabad.
PTI's Twitter had stated that the march would pass through various points of Wazirabad city GT Road and mobilise citizens.
Assassination plot
The PTI chief has on multiple occasions claimed that an “assassination attempt” was being hatched against him since is ouster as prime minister earlier this year.
In what was a prelude to his earlier May 25 ‘Azadi March’, Imran had told his supporters a plot was being orchestrated against his life, saying: “I have named all those elements involved in the conspiracy in the video. I knew about it and I got full knowledge of it a few days ago.”
Explaining why he recorded the video, Imran said, “If something happens to me, I want to let Pakistanis know who was involved inside and outside the country.”
He said he tried to expose in the video the conspirators who had colluded with the “looters” in the country, adding that his video would essentially expose all ‘traitors’ and everyone who had a role in the alleged conspiracy.
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