The suspect, who was arrested by the Punjab Police soon after he shot at former Prime Minister Imran Khan in Gujranwala, has confessed that fired at the PTI chief as he was "misleading" the nation, media reports said.
"I could see him misleading the nation. I only wanted to target Imran Khan and no one else," the attacker, identified as Faisal Butt, said in a video statement in police custody, The Express Tribune reported.
The suspect also revealed that he had intended to do so ever since the deposed premier started his long march from Lahore.
"No one is behind me and I did this [the attack] on my own," he added, Express Tribune reported.
Also read | Imran Khan smiled, waved to the crowd after being shot at
The PTI chief was injured after being shot at in the leg by the assailant. Former ruling party leaders have revealed that his condition is stable and he has been escorted to the Shaukat Khanum Hospital in Lahore. Senator Faisal Javed also sustained injuries in the attack.
The incident occurred on Day 7 of the party's long march to Islamabad.
The PTI chief has been hospitalised after he reportedly received multiple gunshot wounds in the leg. Chaotic scenes were seen as security personnel rushed to secure the premises after the incident occurred.
Many including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have condemned the incident. Sharif said that the federal government will extend all necessary support to the Punjab government for security and investigation.
"Violence should have no place in our country's politics," Sharif said.
Police officers suspended for 'leaking' confession of Imran's attacker
Pakistan Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi has taken notice of leaking the suspected attackers confessional statement after the gun attack on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan during the long march in Gujranwala on Thursday, media reports said.
Elahi ordered the Inspector General (IG) Punjab police to take disciplinary action against the irresponsible officials. After the leaking of the suspect's confessional statement, the station house officer (SHO) and other officials of the concerned police station were suspended, ARY News reported.
The Chief Minister said in a statement that all mobile phones of the police station's staffers have been confiscated and they will be sent for forensic audit, the report said.
Elahi also issued directives to hold an inquiry into the incident of the video leak of the suspected attacker. He directed IG Punjab to begin a probe to ascertain the motive of the gun attack that led to Imran Khan syffering bullet injuries in his leg.
The directives were issued in an emergency session chaired by the Punjab CM.
Khan and other PTI leaders were injured after a man opened fire near the PTI reception camp at Allahwala Chowk during the party's long march.
Also read | Imran Khan sustains bullet injury on leg after shots fired at rally
PTI leader Faisal Javed Khan, who got injured during the attack, confirmed that a party worker or official was killed in the attack while several others were injured.
The assailant, idenfied as Faisal Butt, has confessed that the former Pakistan Prime Minister was his only target.
"I got angry with Khan for spreading hatred and misleading the people. I only wanted to kill Khan and no one else. I did this on my own will and no one told me to do so. I just got angry on Khan and wanted to kill him," Faisal could be heard as saying in the leaked video.
Jemima Goldsmith praises man who foiled attack on Imran
The ex-wife of PTI Chairman Imran Khan, Jemima Goldsmith, took to social media on Thursday to praise the young man who foiled the attack on the former Prime Minister during the party's long march in Gujranwala, according to a media report.Khan sustained bullet injuries in his leg and is currently under treatment at the Shaukat Khanum Hospital in Lahore, Geo News reported.
Goldsmith, who separated from Khan in 2004, thanked God for Khan's safe escape from the attack, adding that the news was "dreadful".
She said that Khan's sons were thankful to the "heroic man" who dealt with the gunman and saved their father's life, Geo News reported.
She even posted the picture of the young man, Ibtisam, who foiled the assassination attempt on the PTI Chairman.
Ibtisam told the press that the gunman was not ready to shoot. He added that the pistol used by the attacker was automatic and continued to fire even after it was taken from him.
He expressed regret for not holding the gunman earlier and preventing the first fire.
Also read | Imran Khan sustains bullet injury on leg, shifted to hospital
Many prominent names have taken to social media to condemn the "cowardly attack" on Khan.
Khan and other PTI leaders were injured in the attack near the PTI reception camp at the Allahwala Chowk during the party's long march.
Following the gun attack, protests erupted in different cities across the country against the assassination attempt on Khan, Ary News reported.
Imran believes Pak PM, Interior Min, Sr army officer behind attack
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary-General Asad Umar said on Thursday that party Chairman Imran Khan suspects three people -- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, and a senior military officer -- were behind the assassination attempt on him, according to a media report.
"Imran Khan has said that he had the information beforehand that these people might be involved in the assassination attempt on him," Umar said in a video statement alongside party leader Mian Aslam Iqbal, Geo News reported.
Umar, quoting the PTI chairman, demanded that all three people - the premier, the minister, and the senior military officer - should be removed from their office, the report said.
The PTI leader added that Khan has warned that if these officials are not removed from their office, the party would hold countrywide protests as Pakistan cannot run in this manner anymore.
"If the demands are not met, all the party workers are awaiting Khan's call, and when he does give that call, protests will take place across the country," Umar said.
Meanwhile, Sharif has condemned the firing incident in Gujranwala and directed Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah to seek an immediate report from the inspector-general of police and chief secretary of Punjab.
Protests erupted in multiple cities across the country after Khan and other PTI leaders were injured in a gun attack during PTI's long march in Gujranwala.
Khan and other PTI leaders were injured after a man opened fire near the PTI reception camp at the Allahwala Chowk during the party's long march, ARY News reported.
Following the gun attack, protests erupted in different cities across the country against the assassination attempt on Khan, the report said.
PTI workers started demonstrations in 17 localities in Karachi against the gun attack. The outrageous party workers blocked roads in north Karachi's Power House Chowrangi, whereas a large number of PTI supporters lodged a protest on Korangi Road.
Protests erupt across Pakistan after attack on Imran Khan
Protests erupted in multiple cities across the country after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and other PTI leaders were injured in a gun attack during PTIs long march in Gujranwala, media reports said on Thursday.
Imran Khan and other PTI leaders were injured after a man opened fire near the PTI reception camp at the Allahwala Chowk during the party's long march, ARY News reported.
Following the gun attack, protests erupted in different cities across the country against the assassination attempt on Khan during the long march, the report said.
PTI workers started demonstrations in 17 localities in Karachi against the gun attack on Khan's container. The outrageous party workers blocked roads in north Karachi's Power House Chowrangi, whereas a large number of PTI supporters lodged a protest on Korangi Road.
Also read | Imran Khan says long march will continue until polls announced
Police contingents rushed to the protest venues and started negotiations with the protesters to clear the roads. Huge traffic jams were witnessed in different areas as protests broke out on many arterial roads in Karachi.
The PTI workers also held a protest demonstration at Lahore's Liberty Chowk. Another protest was organised at Murree Road.
In Faisalabad, a large number of protesters gathered outside Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah's residence.
