Pakistan

Wasim Akram unhurt in gun attack after traffic accident in Karachi

Police rules out targeted attack, says it was a case of road rage. FIR registered against 3 unknown men

Faraz Khan August 05, 2015

Wasim Akram speaks to media at the National Stadium in Karachi on August 5, 2015. PHOTO: INP

KARACHI: Former Pakistan cricket captain Wasim Akram remained unhurt following an attack on his car near National Stadium in Karachi on Wednesday.

Akram’s car met with an accident on Karsaz Road near National Stadium. Following a row with the driver of the car, a 2002 Honda Civic, the private guard sitting with the driver fired at Akram’s car. Before police could arrive at the scene, the drive and his guards managed to flee. However, there were no casualties reported during the incident.

After the incident, Akram called the police helpline 15 and registered the complaint.

The police are currently searching for the car and its owner.

Speaking to Express News, a visibly shaken Akram said, "A car hit mine, I stopped him and then his guy stepped out and fired at my car," he told Express News.

“He was definitely an official, I have noted down the vehicle’s number and given it to the police.”

Denying receiving any threat, Akram said he was on his way to the National Stadium, where he is conducting a training camp for fast bowlers.

Alhamdulillah @wasimakramlive was unhurt & is safely home. Please pray for safety in our country & for those who we have lost on our streets
— Shaniera Akram (@iamShaniera) August 5, 2015

Speaking to media, DIG East Police ruled out the possibility of targeted attack saying "it is a classic case of road rage."

Meanwhile, an FIR No 218/15 was registered at Bahadurabad police station against three unidentified people on behalf of Akram.

COMMENTS (40)

Qaidjohar | 9 years ago | Reply Wasim Akram is adored by millions of people around the world. All cricket lovers are appalled to hear this shocking news about him getting under attack. I wish Karachi could claim back the glory days it was famous for. May Allah keep all Pakistani people safe and secure his eternal shadow. May the root of evil be chopped off till eternity from our beloved watan.

reader | 9 years ago | Reply Another sixer in PPP never ending continuous hall of shame.

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Vicky | 9 years ago | Reply First killing of coach bob volmer.... second, attack on Lankan players and now this incident.....and pak claim that it's safe for cricket and cricketers :(

JL | 9 years ago | Reply We take 10 steps ahead to improve security and then such incident makes us go backward 100 steps. This is a major blow for PCB to solicit foreign teams to come to Pakistan.. Such incident might look small but at the end it has huge sporting and financial repucurrsions for the country.

P.Nair | 9 years ago | Reply @Rabia: It is this sort of attitude which make Pakistan a place where life is threatened by bombs and infights daily. Let better sense prevail.First of all this was a case of road rage. Wasim is a true muslim who believes in brotherhood and peace.

Syedpk | 9 years ago | Reply The wadera culture has to go !!!

Shahid | 9 years ago | Reply The 'guard' culture of Karachi needs to end! These are brutes with guns roaming the streets and go unchecked by the security forces.

RAIS AKBAR | 9 years ago | Reply Read comments from some Indians and not surprised to see their anti Pakistan feelings. Rather than sympathising with Wasim Akram they are out with Pakistan bashing.

Milind | 9 years ago | Reply And Pakistanis get offended if Indian players raise security concerns to play on Pakistani soil.

Alex | 9 years ago | Reply Punjabis always face discrimination in Pakistan

goggi (Lahore) | 9 years ago | Reply Guns and Gallows are the Zeitgeist of Pakistani society!

BruteForce | 9 years ago | Reply Only yesterday a man in the editorial wanted to bust the myth of India Shining, with the subtle hint that Pakistan is more organized, civilized and better looking than India. Well, Sachin Tendulkar has NEVER been under attack in India. The man who wanted foreign teams to visit Pakistan was almost killed. Like many Pakistanis say, they are a martial race, perhaps civility is not their strong point, they are more used to chaos, violence, bullets and guns and bombs, than us Indians. Wasim Akram can legally immigrate to Australia(as he is married to an Australian woman) and anyway he spends a lot of time in India, a month before, during and a month after the IPL. He should ensure his safety and that of his children. Nationality is overrated anyway.

ajeet | 9 years ago | Reply Imtiaz Gul can use this incident as PR campaign for safe Pakistan.

ajeet | 9 years ago | Reply A wonderful PR campaign for safe pakistan.

Ch. Allah Daad | 9 years ago | Reply Why stupid police and media has disclosed phone number and name of the witness? I have complete sympathy with Mr. Akram but he made a terrible mistake of stopping his car and coming out of it. He almost lost his life or car.

javed butt | 9 years ago | Reply It's very unfortunately to hear .wasim akram is our national hero.our government must protect him.he is the living legend.its the responsibility of our government to admire his achievements and ensure to protect our hero

RAIS AKBAR | 9 years ago | Reply The attackers must be arrested and prosected with rangers playing it's due role as the police may not do justice.

Temujin | 9 years ago | Reply Assets like Waseem should not live in a city like karachi. He should live in Australia or a proper city with law. Karachi is a jungle with every crook roaming around with his private army. Everyone including me has been harassed by these guards and no police etc to help us. Law enforcement only to take bribes. Punjab Army doesn't care since its an urdu speaking majority area and not Pakistanis.

MJ | 9 years ago | Reply People with money and power are not answerable to anyone for any crime committed in Pakistan. A few months ago my car was rear ended by a Hummer-H2 SUT (sports utility truck) in Defense, and the truck had no number plates on it. The car was driven by a drunk woman and was accompanied by 4 armed guards riding in the bed of the Hummer on jump seats. We were parked in front of a gate and they hit my parked car while I was about to get out. Before I could say or do anything these 4 guards jumped out, dragged my driver out of my car and beat him viciously while they threatened me that if I step out of the car I will be shot. I sat there for 3 long excruciating minutes watching my helpless driver beaten to a pulp with kicks, punches and assault rifle butts. After he passed out the woman stepped out of her truck and walked over to me apologizing in a slurred speech about it all being her fault. She then told her guards to get back in the truck and called them "janglee". She was so drunk that she had a tough time climbing back into the driver's seat. Later on a "DSP" who lives a few streets down told me that he knew who the owners were and there is no point even approaching them or any one else. Wasim was lucky that the people who fired at his car finally recognized him and drove away. If he was not a celebrity he would have fared far worse for engaging in an argument with the "elites" of Karachi.

k_roy | 9 years ago | Reply an official.... mind set of these guys will never change

Awam | 9 years ago | Reply As per government, Karachi has been secured and security apparatus is doing great job. Well done everyone

Yasir | 9 years ago | Reply Everyone with private security guards shall be strictly check for criminal record and punished strictly

Blithe | 9 years ago | Reply Guys relax . This is a case of road rage and the guy would be apprehended . Let's not blow it of proportion .

Hella | 9 years ago | Reply Whether it was a case of road rage or targeted killing the result is the same viz. loss of life. Pakistan is no more a safe country with crazies carrying arms and ready to use them at the slightest provocation. Better for Akram to migrate to Australia where his life and talents will be valued more.

Zainab Salman | 9 years ago | Reply No firing at wasim akram, it was a personel fight with some guy, he did not fire at wasim akram.. World needs news about Pakistan, they dont bother to investigate.

Czar of subcontinent | 9 years ago | Reply If something happen to this man, I will be on road to sort out the culprit myslef.

Sameera Maskatiya | 9 years ago | Reply Congratulations Qaim Ali Shah and PPP government for the amount of arms you have promoted over the years by continuing to promote VIP culture. Every lunatic and his grandmother now carries a gun in Karachi.

IBN E ASHFAQUE | 9 years ago | Reply This is what happens when rich people such as Shahrukh Jatoi know that they can kill and nobody can touch them. Can Rangers help? in this this case.

Naasir | 9 years ago | Reply The report makes it quite clear that he was not shot at because of who he is. It is another case of these pseudo/nouveau riche running amok. It should be relatively easy to apprehend both the driver and guard. Once caught they they should be given an exemplary punishment and the owner also made to pay monetary damages.

Ram | 9 years ago | Reply I was indeed disturbed on hearing the news. You are such a nice guy that I have seen in TVs that you can't have enemies. Like me, there are so many in India who admire you as one of the dangerous fast bowlers in the world, perhaps only Andy Roberts can match. Long live Waskim. The cricketin world needs your services. May God Bless you

Rollin & Trollin | 9 years ago | Reply @bob: Karachi has become a hellhole full of all manner of crazies..

Rabia | 9 years ago | Reply I strongly condemn this, looks like they just wanted to scare him off, but why should he be in India and coach Indian players? Indian army is killing our civilians on the LOC everyday, banning our players in IPL, putting false accusations on Pakistan for their own security failures. Pakistani nation made him a hero, he is supposed to serve his own people rather going to where he gets paid more. Would any Indian hero, such as Sachin Tenduklar visit Pakistan and coach our players? Never! Wasim Akram's priorities are just wrong and offend many in Pakistan.

Saad Nazim | 9 years ago | Reply No wonder RAW has massive spectrum it works on to make sure Pakistan suffers.

riz | 9 years ago | Reply regretful.

Uzair | 9 years ago | Reply Find the culprits and punish them according to the law of the state. Probably Indian funded MQM trying there best to take down as many pakistani Assets as they can before they them selves are hanged. WearewithWasimAkram Sir you are among the greatest of us Stay safe May Allah protect you

Hammad | 9 years ago | Reply and they can do anything to completely finish cricket from Pakistan as ICC alone is not enough to kill it for good.

Saad Saleem | 9 years ago | Reply What else our legends do? since they are not safe here. It is better for Akram to be in India and coach them. Since system will never let the people of Pakistan feel safe and secure.

bob | 9 years ago | Reply This is appalling. Why would anyone wanna kill Wasim Akram. Such an amazing and humble guy.

Besharam Khan | 9 years ago | Reply Stay Safe WAZ

Imran Ahsan Mirza | 9 years ago | Reply I am disappointed on the security. He is a national asset and must be protected.

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