Pakistan

Assassination attempt on Imran receives global coverage

Fawad Chaudhry tells Reuters bullet hit IK's shin; PTI leader taken to hospital for treatment

News Desk November 03, 2022

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairperson Imran Khan surrounded by party leaders during the 'Haqeeqi Azadi' march. PHOTO: TWITTER / farhatabbas_pti

International media outlets were quick to react after former prime minister Imran Khan got injured in a gun attack during the seventh day of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) ‘Haqeeqi Azadi’ march.

The ex-premier was standing atop a container when an assailant opened fire, injuring him and other PTI members.

Reuters reported that “Imran Khan was wounded when his convoy was shot at in the country's east”, adding that he was “leading a protest march on Islamabad to demand snap elections” with “hundreds of people in the convoy”.

BREAKING: Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was wounded when his convoy was shot at in the country's east, multiple local news channels say https://t.co/WTZxDGwvZG pic.twitter.com/ShznWfC2ap
— Reuters (@Reuters) November 3, 2022

A bullet hit his shin, PTI spokesperson Fawad Chaudhry said.

"Imran Khan and (party colleague) Faisal Javed received bullets wounds. A bullet hit IK's shin. Both have been taken to hospital for treatment," Chaudhry told Reuters.

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reported that Imran was “shot in [an] apparent attempt on his life during protest march”.

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan shot in apparent attempt on his life during protest march https://t.co/02MQKu0w4s
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) November 3, 2022

The BBC said that a senior aide told the AFP news agency it was "an attempt to kill him", but police are yet to confirm that he was the target.

Read Ballot or bloodshed, Imran sees revolution

“Members of his PTI party said another four people were hurt in the shooting,” they reported.

Russian Today also broke the news, and highlighted that Imran will reportedly “come back to address supporters”.

Khan reportedly to come back to address supporters

More: https://t.co/CjEOXgoBH6 pic.twitter.com/MOeiqrCHpV
— RT (@RT_com) November 3, 2022

Quoting an official from the PTI, CNN announced that “Pakistan’s ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan has been injured after an unidentified gunman opened fire at a rally”.

Pakistan’s ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan has been injured after an unidentified gunman opened fire at a rally, according to an official from Khan’s PTI party https://t.co/fDfY0B7avH
— CNN (@CNN) November 3, 2022

It detailed that “a bullet hit Khan in his foot after an unidentified gunman opened fire, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader Asad Umar said”.

Al Jazeera stated that “Pakistan's former PM Imran Khan sustained a bullet wound in his leg after gunfire after a rally in Gujranwala”.

The news outlet added that an aide to Khan said it was an “assassination attempt”.

Pakistan's former PM Imran Khan sustained a bullet wound in his leg after gunfire after a rally in Gujranwala.

An aide to Khan said it was an "assassination attempt". pic.twitter.com/c7Oy2f1NHi
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) November 3, 2022

PTI leader Azhar Mashwani “confirmed to Al Jazeera that the politician was shot in the leg but was not in danger. Six others, including another politician, Faisal Javed Khan, were also reportedly injured in the attack.”

According to The Guardian, Imran “came under fire in eastern Punjab province” while travelling in his convoy.