Former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan, who first rose to fame as one of the nation’s greatest cricketers, has been shot in the leg during an alleged gun attack, according to multiple reports.
On Thursday evening, Khan was injured during the alleged attack while his supporters marched on the capital Islamabad to demand snap elections.
DAWN reports an unidentified gunman opened fire on the vehicle carrying Khan as it passed through Wazirabad.
The 70-year-old was rushed to hospital in Lahore, where he is safely recovering.
The culprit has been arrested, according to reports.
“He is in a stable condition,” Raoof Hasan, a senior Khan aide told AFP.
“This was an attempt to kill him, to assassinate him.”
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Fawad Chaudhry told Aaj TV that three people were injured in the attack.
Footage is circulating on social media channels of a wounded Khan being moved into a vehicle with the help of his security team.
“Those behind this incident will be brought to justice soon and the injured will be provided the best medical care,” Punjab Chief Minister Parvez Elahi said.
Khan, one Pakistan’s most celebrated cricketers, played 88 Tests and 175 ODIs between 1971 and 1992.
He served as Pakistan’s prime minister from August 2018 until April 2022, when he was ousted via a no-confidence motion.
The Pakistan men’s cricket team was facing South Africa in a T20 World Cup match at the SCG when the news broke.
Pakistan won the match by 33 runs via the DLS Method.
More to come …
