LAHORE, Pakistan: Pakistan's Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal was wounded in an apparent assassination attempt on Sunday, officials said, an incident likely to heighten political tensions ahead of general elections expected in late July.
Junior interior minister Talal Chaudhry said Iqbal was hit by a bullet in his arm in the attack in Narowal district, his constituency in central Punjab province.
"The minister luckily survived. Thank God he is out of danger," Chaudhry said.
The attacker was arrested immediately after the shooting, officials said.
Iqbal, a senior member of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party and a staunch ally of ousted premier Nawaz Sharif, is one of the most senior figures in government and PML-N.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi "strongly condemned" the attack on Iqbal and called for an immediate report into the incident by the chief of police in the vast Punjab province.
A senior government source said early information suggested Iqbal was returning from a meeting with a Christian group, though in his constituency there are other minority groups.
"We are not sure whether it has got anything to do with the motive. We will know only after investigation of the attacker," said the government official.
Militant attacks in Pakistan have fallen sharply over the past few years, but Islamist militants continue to pose a threat and carry out assassinations.
In the past politically motivated attacks have also been a feature of political life in Pakistan.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Junior interior minister Talal Chaudhry said Iqbal was hit by a bullet in his arm in the attack in Narowal district, his constituency in central Punjab province.
"The minister luckily survived. Thank God he is out of danger," Chaudhry said.
Iqbal, a senior member of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party and a staunch ally of ousted premier Nawaz Sharif, is one of the most senior figures in government and PML-N.
Advertisement
A senior government source said early information suggested Iqbal was returning from a meeting with a Christian group, though in his constituency there are other minority groups.
Advertisement
Militant attacks in Pakistan have fallen sharply over the past few years, but Islamist militants continue to pose a threat and carry out assassinations.
Advertisement
© Thomson Reuters 2018
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
COMMENTS
Advertisement
USA vs Bangladesh 3rd T20I Highlights: Bangladesh Register 10-Wicket Win, Lose Series 2-1 Bilawal Bhutto, Shehbaz Sharif Agree To "Save Pak" After Shock Results Will Form Governments Both At Centre, Provinces: Imran Khan's Party Parents Gave Names Of Interns, Doctors To CBI In Kolkata Horror: Sources Video: Woman Tries To Jump Off Mumbai's Atal Setu, Saved By Driver, Cops Private Jets, Luxury Cars: Lavish Life Of "Ketamine Queen" Jasveen Sangha Can Siddaramaiah Government Survive MUDA Scam Allegations? Life On Earth Originates From One Ancestor, Older Than Previously Believed Matthew Perry's Death Sheds Light On Toxic Celebrity-Doctor Relationships Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.