ISLAMABAD:
Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar’s convoy was attacked on Sunday, causing injuries to two people. The spokesman, however, was unharmed.
Akbar, who belongs to the PPP, was heading to his constituency, Khawara, on the outskirts of Muzaffarabad, to attend a political meeting when the incident occurred. The injured PPP workers traveling with the speaker were later taken to a hospital for medical treatment.
Speaking to Express News over the phone, Chaudhry Latif Akbar said he had been receiving threats from his opponents on social media for the last three days and had intimated the police and relevant authorities about them, but no action was taken.
Tensions rose following the attack, leading to an exchange of fire between police and a group of Muslim Conference workers, who allegedly carried out the attack.
AC Rural Hammad Bashir said a small group fired and threw stones at the speaker’s convoy.
“One PPP worker was injured by a bullet and another by a stone. Efforts are being made to arrest the attackers, who also started shooting at the police. Fortunately, no significant damage has been reported so far. The administration is taking measures to control the situation,” he said.
President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the incident of shooting at the president’s motorcade. He said the attack was a cowardly and evil act. He prayed for the recovery of those injured in the attack.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also strongly condemned the shooting incident. He ordered relevant authorities to ensure the quick arrest of the attackers.
