An Anti-Terrorism Court in Gujranwala on Saturday sentenced Abid Hussain – the would-be assassin of former interior minister Ahsan Iqbal – to 10 years in jail.
The convict was also fined Rs 50,000 and in case of non-payment of penalty, the accused will be required to serve an additional six months in jail.
The court acquitted four others accused in the case for lack of evidence. Former interior minister Ahsan Iqbal was shot and injured in the Narowal district of Punjab on May 6. Iqbal was attacked during a corner meeting of the Pakistan Muslim League-N and the assassination attempt took place when the former interior minister was leaving the meeting, which was held at MPA Rana Manan’s residence. The then interior minister received two bullets wounds on his arm. Iqbal was first driven to the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital from where he was airlifted in a Punjab government helicopter to Lahore’s Services Hospital. Abid Hussain, identified as the attacker was arrested and shifted to an undisclosed location.
Published in Daily Times, October 28th 2018.
