Jamshed Dasti survives assassination attempt

The attacker inflicted two wounds on Dasti's head which caused him to bleed profusely.

MUZAFARGARH: Independent National Assembly member Jamshed Dasti was attacked when he arrived to address a rally in Muzzafargarh on Monday.

Dasti had arrived at a political rally in Sanawan to lend support to his brother's campaign who is contesting for NA-177 in the by-polls scheduled for August 22. Dasti had won from NA-177 in the May 11 elections by beating a number of noted and influential feudal lords of the area, but had vacated the seat in favour of NA-178.

But before he could address the rally, two unidentified people attacked Dasti with a sharp objects. While they missed, they managed to inflicted two wounds on his head, causing his head to bleed profusely. When the two men missed, their accomplices pelted Dasti with stones.

At least six of the attackers were detained by people who had gathered to listen to Dasti, but four of their accomplices managed to escape.

Despite the injury, Dasti continued with the address after receiving first aid. He was later shifted to THQ Kot Adu for treatment where Doctors said that he was not seriously hurt and was being given first aid.

Police reached the rally venue shortly afterwards and were speaking to the organisers to secure custody of the assailants.

Dasti blamed Pakistan Peoples Party's (PPP) Noor Rabbani Khar for the assassination attempt who is also contesting for NA-177.

Dasti is supporting Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate for PP-254.