By: Asem Mustafa Awan
Wazirabad, Allahwala Chowk in Punjab, rocked the world as former prime minister Imran Khan was injured in an unsuccessful assassination bid. The bullets went through the steel container wall injuring many PTI leaders. Dr. Yasmin Rashid while talking to the media said: Imran Khan has been shot, but he is now safe and out of danger.
Pakistan Tehreek Insaf Chairman Imran Khan, Senator Faisal Javed, Ahmed Chatta Member Provincial Assembly (son of Hamid Nasir Chatta) and Chaudhry Yusuf were also injured in the firing.
The armed assailant aimed at PTI leadership on top of the container and tried escaping from the scene but was caught. Nine injured have been transferred to local hospital in Wazirabad, a child is also included in the injured, the hospital administration has confirmed the death of one person.
The constitution of Pakistan allows peaceful protest, this constitutional right cannot be taken away from anyone, while the state and state institutions have the responsibility to maintain law and order.
PTI’s long march on May 25 had people representing all walks life including men, women, children and elderly. The march participants were treated with unprecedented cruelty not only the government used the state machinery, but PTI leaders and workers were also tortured and video footages are available. Why does the government make the peaceful event in to a violent one is a question that comes up every time when dead bodies make the count.
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s long march started October 28 from Lahore’s Liberty Market, with the demand of free and fair elections and judicial inquiry into the cipher that resulted in ‘regime change’.
The earlier schedule was different but with public response, Imran Khan changed the schedule. The way Pakistan operates and the ‘threat’ that has been there, foolproof security should have been in place. The first day of the march had resulted in a suspicious person getting detained and now in Wazirabad an assassination attempt leaves a question mark on authorities concerned.
Federal Interior Minister is on record having said that the government will stop the long march by force besides arresting Chairman PTI and former prime minister Imran Khan. The level of intimidation from the minister doesn’t end here as state official made it clear that Mirchi Ward of Machh Jail in Balochistan awaits Imran Khan.
The question arises here as why don’t politicians sit down and sort their difference out. When Imran Khan was in power, Pakistan Peoples Party and JUI held long march, Muslim League (N) also protested and it is a fact that Imran Khan’s government gave all these political stalwarts space and security. Why the things have changed for Imran Khan is a question a commoner asks.
The nation doesn’t suffer from amnesia as murders of popular leaders like Liaqat Ali Khan and Benazir Bhutto are still unanswered and now assassination attempt on Imran Khan has made people raise eye brows. The questions are asked and opinions are made as who gains the most from the chaos. The solution to all the chaos lies in the fresh elections that can unify the nation.
The writer is a Special Correspondent at The Dayspring