Suspending the entire staff including the Station House Office (SHO) of the relevant police station, Punjab Chief Minister Pervez Elahi has taken notice of the video statement of the suspected attacker who allegedly shot former prime minister Imran Khan.
The suspect, who was arrested by the Punjab Police soon after the firing incident in Gujranwala, confessed that he shot the PTI chief as he was "misleading" the nation.
"I could see him misleading the nation. I only wanted to target Imran Khan and no one else," he said in a short video statement in police custody.
🚨I wanted to kill Imran Khan only, attacker told Media. pic.twitter.com/1EaE1o7q6h
— Ihtisham Ul Haq (@iihtishamm) November 3, 2022
The suspect also revealed that he had intended to do so ever since the deposed premier left Lahore and started his long march. "No one is behind me and I did this [attack] on my own," he added.
CM Elahi, while taking notice of the video leak, suspended the entire staff including the SHO of the relevant police station.
He also directed the Inspector General of Police to take strict disciplinary action against irresponsible officials. He said that the mobile phones of all police station staff have been seized and a forensic audit will be conducted.
The chief minister ordered the inquiry into the video leak of the suspect, directing IGP to bring to investigate the motive behind the attack.
The attack
The firing incident occurred on Day 7 of the party's long march towards the federal capital. According to media reports, the gunman has been arrested and Imran is out of danger.
The PTI chief has been hospitalised after he reportedly received multiple gunshot wounds in the leg. Chaotic scenes were seen as security personnel rushed to secure the premises after the incident occurred.
Read more: 'No one is behind me, only wanted to kill Imran Khan', attacker tells police
Many including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the incident. He said that the federal government will extend all support necessary to the Punjab government for security and investigation.
"Violence should have no place in our country's politics," Shehbaz further said.
The Pakistan Army has also condemned the incident. "Firing incident during Long March near Gujranwala is highly condemnable," the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.
"Sincere prayers for precious life lost and speedy recovery and well-being of Chairman PTI Mr Imran Khan and all those injured in this unfortunate incident."
Many world leaders including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned the assassination attempt on the former prime minister.
"The attack on Imran Khan and his supporters is completely unacceptable, and I strongly condemn this violence. It has no place in politics, in any democracy, or in our society. I’m wishing a speedy recovery to Imran and all who were injured today," Trudeau wrote on his official Twitter handle.
Britain's Minister of State Zac Goldsmith, terming the news of the incident appalling, said that Imran Khan is strong and will be back on his feet.
"Those forces in Pakistan who believe they can stifle democracy in that country through murder are wrong & will be seen to be wrong," he added.
Reuters quoted Indian foreign ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi as saying: "It's a development that just took place. We're closely keeping an eye on and we'll continue to monitor ongoing developments."
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