Pakistan’s Federal Minister of Interior, Mr. Ahsan Iqbal was shot yesterday in Narowal when at the conclusion of a corner meeting he was heading towards his vehicle. Fortunately, he was able to escape what is being called an assassination attempt and is now out of danger. However, the incident has led to the onset of uncertainty and an environment of fright among the political circle of the state as candidates roll up their sleeves for election 2018. Reminded of violence that marked the previous election, Pakistan unanimously condemned the attack on Ahsan Iqbal as leaders from across the house took to social media in support of Iqbal, denouncing politics of arms.
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President Mamnoon Hussain prayed for Ahsan Iqbal’s quick recovery while strongly condemning the attack in a statement issued by the President House.
Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi also took notice of the event and called for investigation into the matter.
Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has strongly condemned attack on Interior Minister Mr. Ahsan Iqbal. Prime Minister has called for immediate report into the incident from IG Police Punjab. pic.twitter.com/8nEoAYxyXO
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) May 6, 2018
Punjab’s Chief Minister and a party colleague, Shehbaz Sharif was one of the first to talk about the horrifying attack on Ahsan Iqbal.
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Strongly condemn the assassination attempt on my friend Ahsan Iqbal… Just spoke to him & he is in high spirits MashaAllah … Those who indulged in this heinous act will be brought to justice… PMLN will not be browbeaten into submission… Prayers for quick recovery!! -ss
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) May 6, 2018
PPP Chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Senator Sherry Rehman, PTI Chief Imran Khan and JI Ameer Siraj-ul-Haq also condemned the heinous act via Twitter.
Strongly condemn the attack on interior minister Ashan Iqbal praying for his swift recovery IA . There needs to be a complete and thorough investigation into incident. https://t.co/pRDCYXAosj
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) May 6, 2018
Very sorry to hear about injury to Ahsan Iqbal @betterpakistan . Hope he recovers soon and thoughts, prayers with his family. Allah keep all of us in his protection. https://t.co/SFUdYh5ToK
— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) May 6, 2018
Strongly condemn attack on Ahsan Iqbal today.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) May 6, 2018
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This tweet from DG ISPR conveyed COAS’ regards to Ahsan and his family.
COAS condemns firing on Federal Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal. Expresses best wishes for early recovery.
— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) May 6, 2018
Another noted personality to condemn the attack is Malala Yousafzai who termed the event as saddening and sent prayers for Ahsan Iqbal’s speedy recovery.
As condemnations continue to pour in, #AhsanIqbal tops the trending list on Pakistani twitter. Here have a look at few more tweets!
Strongly condemn firing incident on #MinisterInterior #AhsanIqbal. Hope and pray he is safe.
— Nafisa Shah (@ShahNafisa) May 6, 2018
strongly condemned attack on interior minister ahsan Iqbal @betterpakistan #AhsanIqbal
— Waqas Amjad ( Ù…ØØªØ±Ù… ) (@waqas_amjaad) May 6, 2018
Really condemn the incident . I heard #AhsanIqbal is out of danger. All our prayers @betterpakistan
— Shehzad Roy (@ShehzadRoy) May 6, 2018
Attack on #AhsanIqbal is highly condemnable.
I pray for his speedy recovery. May Allah protect all of us ameen. pic.twitter.com/MRoTVdfPph— Arif Hameed Bhatti (@arifhameed15) May 6, 2018
While Pakistan unanimously condemned the attack on Ahsan Iqbal, the arrested assailant Abid Hussain has confessed that he attacked the minister on the issue of Khattam-e-Nubawwat, implying that we could have witnessed another Salman Taseer incident yesterday, all owing to our inability to comprehend how dangerous and threatening is the politics which exploits religious sentiments to accrue support.
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Amidst all this chaos, leaders from diverse backgrounds finally coming together to show solidarity with Ahsan Iqbal despite their political differences prove that a ray of hope is still alive and we can still choose policies of harmony and unity over policy of fragmentation.