Two suspects involved in attack on Imran: Cheema

PTI chief says assassination attempt on him ‘followed a script’

LAHORE:

Adviser to Punjab Chief Minister on Home Affairs Omar Sarfraz Cheema on Wednesday revealed that at least two people were involved in the assassination attempt on PTI Chairman and former premier Imran Khan during the party’s “Haqeeqi Azadi (real freedom) March” in Wazirabad last week.

He made these remarks while addressing a news conference in Lahore.

Separately, the PTI chief said that he would disclose the name of one more person involved in the Wazirabad assassination attempt, adding that the attack on him “followed a script”.

Imran, 70, was wounded by gunfire aimed at his open-top container truck as he led a political party convoy through thick crowds in Wazirabad on November 3.

One person died in the incident while several members of the PTI chairman’s close circle, including Senator Faisal Javed, former Sindh governor Imran Ismail, Ahmad Chattha and Imran Yousaf, were injured.

A suspect identified as Naveed was arrested from the crime scene. The suspect admitted to opening fire on the container but did not point out to anyone during the initial investigations.

He remained firm that he acted alone and claimed that a few speeches of Imran hurt his religious sentiments.

The federal government had been adamant that the attacker acted alone but the PTI leadership including Imran said Naveed was only a pawn who executed the assassination plot hatched by three powerful personalities of the country.

During the presser on Wednesday, Cheema said that at least two people were involved in the attack, citing initial investigation by law enforcement agencies.

He rejected the religious angle given to the attack. "In fact, religious hatred is being spread against Imran Khan. After the Wazirabad incident, an attempt has been made to spew poison against Imran Khan in Hafizabad as well," he added.

Cheema said the Centre could exercise its authority however, appointing an IG was the responsibility of the provincial government. "There is only people’s rule here [in Punjab]... there won't be any governor’s rule [in the province]," he added.

PTI leader Farrukh Habib also maintained that at least two people had attacked Imran, adding that the number of attackers could be more.

“An initial forensic report has been presented [which has] put to rest all the cover-up stories,” he said.

“Initial investigation proved that it was a planned assassination attempt on Imran Khan. Those who have been constantly building a narrative against him have been exposed. "[Interior Minister] Rana Sanaullah should be ashamed of his statement while accusing Imran Khan,” he added.

Habib further said that the assassination bid on Imran was an attack on entire 220 million people of Pakistan.

He said any officer who had been influenced by the “hidden hand” to conceal the facts of the matter will also be brought to the fore.

Meanwhile, Imran said that he would disclose one more name involved in the Wazirabad assassination attempt.

In a tweet on Wednesday, he said that the attack on him “followed a script”, adding that he had discovered the assassination plot two months back.

"I had discovered the assassination plot hatched against me almost two months ago & exposed it in RYK [on] 24th Sept & Mianwali [on] 7th Oct public rallies. Wazirabad assassination attempt followed the script."

Earlier in the day, the Punjab government decided to constitute a joint investigation team (JIT) to probe the gun attack on the PTI chief.

A meeting of the Punjab Cabinet Committee on Law and Order was held at the civil secretariat under the chairmanship of Raja Basharat.

The session was attended by Cheema, Chief Secretary Abdullah Sumbul and other officials.

The meeting decided to form a JIT to investigate the attack on the PTI chief, which would be led by Additional IG Highways Patrol Riaz Nazir Gara and comprise officials of the agencies concerned.

The committee decided to award special security to the container being used by Imran for the long march and open motorways at the earliest for the purpose. It also agreed to give way to the judges’ vehicles during the march.

Basharat directed the police and district administration to stay in touch with the local PTI leadership, adding that a bulletproof rostrum and glass would be installed on the container.

He also called for the deployment of snipers and stringent security measures during the long march.

Meanwhile, the PTI on Wednesday again changed its plans for the long march, splitting the Haqeeqi Azadi March into two.

The first procession will continue from Wazirabad - where party chief Imran Khan was attacked - and will be led by PTI Vice Chairperson Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Thursday (today).

The second rally will depart from Toba Tek Singh a day later, on November 11 (Friday), with the party's secretary general Asad Umar leading it. It will travel from Toba Tek Singh to Jhang and then to Faisalabad.

The two groups are to converge before entering Chakwal.