LAHORE – Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal has revealed the inside details ofhis lucky survive from the assassination attempt in Narowal
He was discharged from Lahore’s Services Hospital on Monday days after hewas injured in a gun attack during an election rally in his hometownNarowal.
The minister, who should feel himself the world’s one of the luckiest menas he escaped death when he was in the range of the attacker, unveiled thestory behind the ‘big survival’.
The story was shared by Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Shami, a senior journalist, duringa current affairs programme on Dunya News, stating that when he went tothe hospital to see Iqbal, the minister explained the whole episode. Shamisaid other dignitaries were also present in the hospital at that time.
“When I was set to leave the ceremony, a young man rushed towards me askingme to attend a phone call,” the interior minister said, adding that when helifted his arm to take the phone close to his ear, the attacker opened fireat that time and the bullet hit his elbow.
“The bullet may cross into my chest if I was not hearing the phone call andit could lead to a big disaster,” Ahsan Iqbal said.
The security czar was targeted on May 6 in Kanjrur tehsil by a lone gunmanwho had managed to come close to him when the minister was about to leave acorner meeting. The attacker was subsequently arrested by vigilant securitystaff of the lawmaker.
Iqbal was rushed to District Headquarters Hospital Narowal but was laterairlifted to Services Hospital on the directives of Chief Minister Punjab,Shehbaz Sharif.
The 22-year-old man, identified as Abid Hussain, confessed to opening fireon the minister over allegations of blasphemy.
After being discharged from the hospital, Iqbal visited his mother’s graveat the Johar Town following which he would be heading to Islamabad.
Speaking to the media outside the hospital, Iqbal’s son, Ahmed Iqbal,thanked newsmen for their “genuine concern and responsible reporting.”
The interior minister underwent multiple surgeries and according toServices Hospital’s officials, he is in a lot better shape than before.
The Punjab government has constituted a joint investigation team (JIT) toprobe the attack on Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal. The JIT will be convenedby Additional Inspector General Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) MuhammadTahir.