Insists 3 shooters involved in Wazirabad assassination bid

Ali Hamza

LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan Thursday demanded the formation of a powerful committee, under Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial’s supervision, to probe the Wazirabad assassination bid.

In a press conference, Khan said: “I earlier stated this as well that I only hope for justice from one place [SC] as powerful people will not allow the investigation to take place.”

Khan was shot in the leg on December 3 as he waved to crowds from a truck-mounted container while leading a protest march to Islamabad to pressure the government into announcing an early election — but it was cut short in Rawalpindi.

Hinting at the involvement of the armed forces in his attack, Khan said that although the Pakistan Army was a top institution that serves its country, there are “black sheep” in every institute.

“Now, I want the person who planned to have me killed to cooperate with the JIT. These people are intentionally obstructing justice,” the ex-premier said.

The PTI chief earlier blamed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, and a senior military officer for allegedly being involved in his assassination bid. 

Khan further said that when Naveed, the suspect in the assassination bid, was arrested, his confessional video statement was released almost immediately “even when I had not reached the hospital after getting shot at”.

The PTI chief said that Naveed claimed he was working alone. “He was programmed to say this.”

The ex-prime minister claimed that the suspect was asked to say that he was working alone as if there had been someone aiding him, then he could not be called a “religious fanatic”.

Khan said the police quickly recorded the video statement of the suspect and disseminated it among “journalists and television channels” who work against the PTI.