Pakistan: TLP-affiliated gunman wounds Minister of Interior Ahsan Iqbal May 6

Event

A gunman wounded Pakistani Minister of Interior Ahsan Iqbal - a member of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party - in Narowal (Punjab province) on Sunday, May 6, after he attended an election rally. The assailant, who reportedly fired several shots at Iqbal in an apparent assassination attempt, was arrested following the incident and was subsequently questioned by authorities. Though the motive of the shooter was not immediately announced, local officials have claimed that the assailant has ties to Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP), an Islamist political party which has staged several demonstrations in recent months calling for the enforcement of blasphemy laws.

Associated demonstrations are possible in Pakistan in the coming days and weeks ahead of the general elections scheduled in July. Heightened security measures and localized traffic disruptions are expected around potential protests.

Context

TLP launched protests and disrupted traffic in several Pakistani cities in mid-April to demand the full implementation of the Faizabad agreement, which followed a series of violent protests and clashes between Islamist protesters - including TLP supporters - and the government in Islamabad in November 2017. The Islamabad protests were spearheaded by Islamist protesters demanding the removal of the Pakistani federal law minister, Zahid Hamid, for his alleged revision of an oath (Khatm-i-Nabuwwat) which testifies that the Prophet Muhammad is the final prophet in Islam in a constitutional bill (Elections Act 2017). The revision to the oath was reversed and proclaimed by Pakistani officials to have been a clerical error before Hamid was removed from office as part of the agreement, among the fulfillment of other TLP demands.

Advice

Individuals in Punjab province, particularly in Narowal, and across Pakistan are advised to avoid all public gatherings due to the risk of violence, anticipate transportation disruptions surrounding any demonstrations, and monitor developments to the situation.

As a reminder, due to the high threat of terrorism, kidnapping, and sectarian violence throughout the country, Western governments usually advise their citizens against all nonessential travel to Pakistan. Remain vigilant at all times and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.