Pakistan Interior Ministry Asks To Investigate After Imran Khan Attack

The Pakistan Interior Ministry asked the provincial government to initiate a high-level joint investigation team (JIT) regarding the Imran Khan attack case.

A high-level joint investigative team (JIT) has been requested by Pakistan’s Interior Ministry to be established in Punjab (Pakistan) in order to gather information on an attempted assassination of former prime minister Imran Khan.

While Shehbaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leads the coalition that governs the federal government, Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is the party in charge of Punjab (Pakistan) province (PML-N).

At least one person was killed when a shooter opened fire on the truck carrying Khan, 70, during his protest march on Thursday in Pakistan’s Punjab (Pakistan) province. But the former prime minister was unharmed in what his party described as a “assassination attempt.”

When Khan was leading the lengthy march to Islamabad seeking early elections, the event took place close to Allahwala Chowk of Wazirabad town in Punjab (Pakistan).

The Punjab (Pakistan) government has received a letter from the Interior Ministry regarding the matter, based on a statement released late on Thursday. 

In the communiqué, it was requested that the JIT consist of senior police officials and intelligence people.

Prior to that, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah stated the JIT should be composed of senior officers for a credible and open investigation into the incident during a press conference with Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb. 

He also guaranteed the provincial government the center’s complete cooperation with the investigation.

The minister further attributed the security breach that may have contributed to the firing to the Punjab (Pakistan) government. He blamed the provincial administration as well for the unauthorized release of the assailant’s confessional video.

He criticized PTI leaders Shireen Mazari and Asad Umar for assigning responsibility for the incident to senior military and government figures without providing any supporting documentation.

Sanaullah rebuked PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry, saying, “You too do not dwell in the heavens,” for reportedly encouraging people to damage the homes of opposition figures. You will be consumed by the fire you start if you incite violence.

The minister confirmed that the PTI chairman was the target of threats to his life, but he also said that he was protected by impenetrable security measures. 

In the aftermath of the incident, he also counseled the PTI leader to alter his course of conduct.

He said that he had requested a report from the Punjab (Pakistan) government, the chief secretary, and the inspector general of police on the prime minister’s instructions.

Aurangzeb counseled the public and the media to refrain from making speculative claims and reckless pronouncements. She vehemently denounced the firing and wished Khan and other PTI leaders a speedy recovery.

According to Aurangzeb, the suspect has been detained, and a Gujrat police station has recorded his statement.

The minister also urged the populace to refrain from politicizing the tragedy and making careless remarks because doing so would trigger an unfortunate incident.