Imran Khan survives ‘assassination attempt’

Imran Khan, Pakistan’s former prime minister, was shot in the leg on Thursday in what his supporters say was an assassination attempt.

A gunman opened fire while Khan, 70, was leading a protest rally in Wazirabad in Punjab province, officials said.

Khan was rushed away from the scene to hospital and his supporters said he had survived the assassination attempt.

The former cricketer – who has been pushing for new elections after being ousted from power in April – has been delivering fiery speeches at gatherings across the country.

He was six days into a march from Lahore to Islamabad in his drive to bring early elections to the country, pushing for radical change, when the shooting took place.

PTI party leader Faisal Javed was among a number of people who were injured.

“Imran Khan and Faisal Javed received bullet wounds. A bullet hit Imran Khan’s shin. Both have been taken to hospital for treatment,” said PTI spokesman Fawad Chaudhry.

Javed, who had blood stains on his clothes, told Geo TV from the hospital: “Several of our colleagues are wounded. We heard that one of them is dead.”

Officials said the gunman had been arrested at the scene.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the shooting and has ordered an immediate investigation.