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Tuesday, February 09, 2010, Safar 24, 1431

Armed men attack AML polls office
Rashid survives assassination attempt
3 bodyguards die on spot, 4 injured; City goes tense nEnraged party loyals protest, block roads; Fear of defeat led to attack: AML Chief; President, PM, politicians condemn

Tanvir Siddiqi/Tahir Rashid

Rawalpindi—The Chief of Awami Muslim League Sheikh Rashid Ahmad survived an assassination attempt as unknown gunmen opened fire at his election office here on Monday.

Sheikh Rashid received minor injuries on his legs when he fell on the ground when attacked. However, three of his guards were killed in the attack. Four people were injured.

Armed assailants carrying Kalashnikoves riding on motorcycles attacked Sheikh Rashid outside of his election office when he was heading on foot to attend a public meeting. Four of his bodyguards who were ahead of Shaikh Rashid were instantly killed while Sheikh Rashid received injuries on his ankles as he rushed back to his office during the ensuing stampede.

The doctors in the hospital said that Shaikh Rashid Ahmad was out of danger. He did not receive any fracture in his ankles. He was kept in the hospital under observation as a precautionary measure.

Report of attack on Shaikh Rashid spread all over the city like a wild-fire .The supporters of Shaikh Rashid indulged in “Jalao Gherao” and blocked the road outside the Election office of their leader in Khayaban-e-Sir Syed raising slogans against the Punjab Government and nominee of PML-N.

Supporters of Shaikh Rashid also held angry demonstrations outside the DHQ hospital and on Murree Road.

After the incident police cordoned off the area and put the security on high alert on Rawalpindi city and the law enforcement agencies also informed the President and the Prime Minister regarding preliminary investigations over the firing incident.

President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and other political leaders have condemned the incident of firing on Sheikh Rashid and directed the concerned departments for investigations.

President Asif Ali Zardari while condemning the incident said that it was a conspiracy against democracy and few elements wanted to create instability in Pakistan.

The Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani while condemning the incident of firing on Sheikh Rashid said that all the resources would be used for the investigation of this incident.


The Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Rehman Malik has also condemned the incident and directed the Chief Commissioner and DIG to send report after the initial investigations.

It was pertinent to mention that electoral activities were on peak in the constituency of NA-55 as by-elections were to be held in this constituency of Rawalpindi on 24th February 2010 and AML president Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has been candidate from this constituency.

Shaikh Rashid told his supporters that the assailants continued prolonged indiscriminate firing at his election office and it was with great difficulty that he was able to save his life. He accused CPO Rao Iqbal of not taking his warning of such an attempt on his life seriously and did not provide him the required security despite his written requests.

Sheikh Rashid Ahmed told media those killed in the armed attack were his childhood friends, not personal guards. “My two friends died on the spot while the third one passed away in the hospital,” he said.

Rashid said, the attempt to kill him was resulted from fear of his opponents about their defeat.

President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and other political leaders have condemned the incident of firing on Sheikh Rashid and directed the concerned departments for investigations.

According to details President Asif Ali Zardari said that it was a conspiracy against democracy as some elements wanted to create instability in Pakistan.

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani while condemning the incident of firing on Sheikh Rashid said all the resources would be used for the investigations of this incident.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik has also condemned the incident and directed the Commissioner and DIG to send report after the initial investigation.

The President PML-Q Chaudhary Shujaat Hussain, Secretary General Mushahid Hussain Syed and President Muslim League Ham Khayal Group Salim Saif Ullah condemned the attack on Sheikh Rashid and urged the government to cope with the responsible persons with iron hands.

The senior Advisor to CM Punjab Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khosa while talking to media condemned the incident and hoped that this sort of incident should not happen again during the election campaign.

The Secretary General of PML-N Chaudhary Ahsan Iqbal has condemned the attack on Sheikh Rashid and said that it was an attempt to embarrass PML-N.

Talking to media after the attack on Sheikh Rashid said that few elements wanted to destabilize the country and democracy in Pakistan. He said that basic purpose of this attack was to defame Pakistan Muslim League PML-N.

The PML-N leader said that without having any solid evidence it was hard to say about this that who was involved in attack. He said that the politics should be decided with ballot instead of bullet.

The Secretary General also expressed condolence with the bereaved families of deceased. He said that may Allah recover Sh Rashid soon so that he can participate in the elections campaign.

In response to a question he said that the candidate of PML-N was in strong position during the whole campaign while Sheikh Rashid was not in winning position. He said that Sheikh Rashid was one man party show however the attack on him was the matter of concern.

Those who visited the hospital to inquire about welfare of Sheikh Rashid Ahmed included PML(Q) Secretary General Mushaid Hussain Sayed, PPP City President Aamir Fida Paracha, former provincial minister and leader of PML(Q) Raja Basharat, Raja Nasir, Information Secretary of Tehreek-i-Insaf, Zahid Hussain Kazmi and several other leaders.

The workers of Awami Muslim League staged a protest outside emergency ward and raised slogans against PML(N) leadership and Punjab government. The nephew of Sheikh Rashid and Town Nazim Rashid Shafiq tried to cool down the workers but emotional mob did not pay any heed to his pleas.

Former Minister Raja Basharat said the incident is highly deplorable and those elements involved in it, are aware of their clear defeat in the by-elections.

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