ISLAMABAD: The United States, Saudi Arabia, Canada and other world powers have denounced a shooting in Pakistan that targeted former prime minister Imran Khan during his anti-government march near the eastern city of Wazirabad, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging all sides to "refrain from violence."
Khan escaped with a bullet wound to his right calf, while a man was also killed and several of Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party officials were hit by the gunfire aimed at their modified container truck as it slowly drove through a thick crowd. Khan is in stable condition after the shooting, which the country's president deemed "a heinous assassination attempt".
Khan has been leading a motorized caravan of thousands since October 28 from the city of Lahore towards the capital Islamabad, demanding fresh elections after being ousted from the office in April. Thursday’s shooting has sparked protests in many cities across the South Asian country.
"Violence has no place in politics, and we call on all parties to refrain from violence, harassment and intimidation," Blinken said in a statement.
"The United States is deeply committed to a democratic and peaceful Pakistan, and we stand with the Pakistani people."
The US secretary of state wished Khan and other injured a quick recovery and offered condolences to the family of the individual who was killed.
Jemima Goldsmith, the ex-wife of the former cricketing superstar who shares two children with him, tweeted her relief.
"Thank you from his sons to the heroic man in the crowd who tackled the gunman," she said.
Pakistan has been grappling with militants for decades and politicians are frequently targeted in assassination attempts.
The attack on Khan had echoes of the 2007 assassination of another former prime minister, Benazir Bhutto, who died when a huge bomb detonated near her vehicle as she greeted supporters in Rawalpindi while standing up through the roof hatch.
Just months earlier, she had survived another attempt on her life when her motorcade was targeted in Karachi, killing more than 130 people.
Each day since starting his long march, 70-year-old Khan has mounted a shipping container towed by a lorry, making speeches from the open top to crowds of thousands in cities and towns along the way.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the attack on Khan and his supporters was completely unacceptable and he strongly condemned this violence.
"It has no place in politics, in any democracy, or in our society. I’m wishing a speedy recovery to Imran and all who were injured today," Trudeau said.
Germany’s ambassador to Pakistan, Alfred Grannas, said he was shocked to learn about the attack on Khan.
“We condemn violence in every form. Important that the situation remains peaceful. Wishing all injured a swift recovery,” Grannas said.
Khan was booted from the office in April by a no-trust vote after defections by some of his coalition partners, but he retains mass public support in the South Asian country.
Khan was voted into power in 2018 by an electorate tired of corruption and dynastic politics, but his mishandling of the economy — and falling out with a military that many say helped him rise — sealed his fate in April.
Since then, he has rallied against the establishment and PM Shehbaz Sharif’s government, which he says was imposed on Pakistan by a “conspiracy” backed by the United States.
Khan has repeatedly told supporters he was prepared to die for the country, and aides have long warned of unspecified threats made on his life.
