Imran Khan assassination attempt could lead to Pakistan instability, experts say

Former prime minister accuses top political and military officials of complicity in Thursday night's attack

Imran Khan, former prime minister and head of the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf party, speaks to journalists at Shaukat Khanum hospital where he was admitted after being shot, near Wazirabad, in Lahore. EPA

Mr Khan said two gunmen had tried to assassinate him in Wazirabad. AFP

Police use teargas to disperse supporters of Mr Khan during a protest in Rawalpindi. Reuters

Officers clash with supporters of the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf in Islamabad. EPA

Supporters of Mr Khan have vowed the assassination attempt will not derail his 'long march' bid to return to power. AFP

PTI supporters gather for a protest in Karachi. AFP

Blockading a motorway during a PTI protest in Peshawar. AP

More protesters, in Wazirabad. Reuters

A supporter of Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan, places flowers outside the hospital in Lahore where Mr Khan is recovering after an assassination attempt that left him with a gunshot wound to the leg. AFP

Imran Khan supporters protest at the cordoned-off site of the assassination attempt in Wazirabad. AFP

A bouquet at the hospital where Imran Khan is said to be in a stable condition after undergoing surgery, according to a senior member of his party. AP Photo

Former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan was wounded in a shooting incident in Wazirabad. A gunman opened fire on a campaign vehicle carrying Mr Khan, wounding him slightly and also some of his supporters, a senior leader from his party and police said. AP

A supporter of Mr Khan places flowers outside the hospital where he is being treated, in Lahore. AFP

Khan's supporters take part in a protest against the assassination attempt, in Peshawar. AFP

Investigators examine the rooftop of a container truck used by the former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan during his political rallies, hours after a gun attack in Wazirabad. AFP

A police officer walks past a lorry near the scene where Mr Khan was shot, in Wazirabad. Reuters

A Khan supporter in Karachi gestures during a protest following the shooting incident. Mr Khan was shot in the leg and has been admitted to hospital. Reuters

Khan supporters shout slogans during a protest in Karachi after the former prime minister was shot. EPA

Khan supporters in Karachi react following the shooting incident in Wazirabad. Reuters

Supporters of the former prime minister take part in a protest in Peshawar against the shooting. AFP

Khan supporters shout slogans during a protest in Karachi. EPA

A boy in Islamabad watches television showing news of the shooting. AFP

Policemen stand guard outside the Shaukat Khanum hospital in Lahore where Mr Khan was admitted following the shooting. AFP

Mr Khan is helped after the shooting. Reuters

Faisal Javed, a senator and close aid of Mr Khan, was also injured during the incident. AP

Policemen stand guard outside the hospital where Mr Khan was admitted. EPA

The attack that wounded former prime minister Imran Khan, party members and officials on Thursday evening, could reshape Pakistan’s politics and lead to a dangerous escalation, experts say.

Mr Khan had an operation to remove bullet shards after the attack that left him with non-life-threatening wounds to his leg. The former prime minister, who was removed in April after a no-confidence vote in parliament, was on a march with supporters to the capital to demand elections.

The attack in Wazirabad, in Punjab province, killed one person and left at least 10 others wounded. The suspected shooter was arrested on the scene.

“The attack on Imran Khan could have a bad effect on the political sphere in Pakistan,” said Irfan Ashraf, assistant professor at Peshawar University, who has a background in security, terrorism and law and order.

He said that Mr Khan’s response had been to “burn all the boats and he has announced a fight against the [security agencies] that brought him into power”.

After the attack, Mr Khan accused Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and Maj Gen Faisal Naseer of being complicit and demanded they resign from their posts.

Mr Ashraf said that this would up the ante, rather than defuse tensions.

“Despite the fact that Imran Khan has been informed of such a [dangerous] situation and with the example of the former prime minister of Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto, in front of us, he didn’t listen to anyone and has adopted a rash approach.”

Benazir Bhutto was assassinated after a political rally in 2007.

While Mr Khan is likely to adopt tighter security measures, Mr Ashraf said that the victims of political violence or clashes with authorities would be supporters and party members.

“The lives of the PTI workers are in danger,” he said, using the acronym for Mr Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party.

“We saw people coming out to the street destroying public properties and if people create any untoward situation, there is no one to take the responsibility then.”

Mohammad Riaz, president of the Peshawar Press Club and a veteran reporter, said that while prime ministers have been removed from office in the past, they usually bide their time for the next election to try to stage a comeback.

Mr Khan, he said, had changed the playbook by lobbying for elections, staging rallies and hurling accusations at foreign states for orchestrating his removal.

“After the alleged assassination [attempt against] Imran Khan, people came out, which is completely new and a new trend has been set and the effects of this will be visible later,” he said.

But Mehmood Jan Babar, a senior journalist in Peshawar who has covered security issues in north-west Pakistan for 24 years, was less worried about escalation and told The National that the PTI could seek to turn the situation in their favour.

“If they carry the same momentum and keep the workers motivated [like now], it will benefit the PTI in the long term,” he said, with a nod to possible elections being demanded by Mr Khan.

Mr Jan Babar pointed to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa area, where the PTI has been in power for 10 years and where, after Thursday night’s incident, people took to the street in large numbers.

“If the incident is not investigated properly, it will definitely go in favour of the PTI,” he said.

Mr Khan has been pushing for elections and the choice of the next army head, and Mr Jan Babar said that if he plays the situation well, he could come out stronger and more popular with both demands.

But he did note that the situation could easily escalate, as highlighted by videos shared online of various local and national PTI officials threatening federal ministers and carrying arms at protests since the attack.

A doctor at the hospital where Mr Khan is receiving treatment told The National that Mr Khan was hit in the leg and had a tibial spiral fracture. He underwent an operation to nail and plate the area and remove the bullet fragments.

The doctor said Mr Khan will need time to heal from the fracture and muscle damage.

Officials have not yet said what kind of gun was used in the attack, but a weapons expert from Peshawar told The National that online videos of the attack appeared to show an automatic weapon being fired.

Arshad Afridi said that while all weapons imported into Pakistan were semi-automatic, they can be made to fire in full auto setting with a simple modification.

“Many imported weapons can be manufactured locally [as well] in Peshawar’s Dara Adamkhel region. Imported semi-auto pistols cost around $1,500-$2,000, but you can get a locally made [version] for about $100-$200,” he said.