Imran Khan, former Pakistan Prime Minister, shot and injured - reports

The politician, who was chancellor of the University of Bradford between 2005 to 2014, was protesting in the Wazirabad district in the eastern Punjab province.

A gunman opened fire on a container truck carrying Mr Khan - an attack his supporters branded an "assassination attempt". 

The gunman hurt Mr Khan and some of his supporters, a senior leader from his party and police said.

Mr Khan was wounded in the foot but escaped serious injury, party official Asad Umar said.

Who shot Imran Khan?

The identity of the gunman was not immediately known.

An arrest has since been made at the scene.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Mr Khan was travelling in a large convoy of trucks and cars heading towards the capital, Islamabad.

Imran Khan at Carlton Bolling College (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Khan with later seen with a bandage on his foot.

He was moved to another vehicle from his container truck, from which announcements were made that he is safe.

Some of the supporters from his Tehreek-e-Insaf party were also hurt, according to an announcement.

The attack happened less than a week after Mr Khan began his march from Lahore, the capital of Punjab province, along with thousands of supporters.

Since his ousting in a no-confidence vote in Parliament in April, Mr Khan has alleged it was a conspiracy engineered by his successor, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, and the United States.

These are claims both the new premier and Washington have denied.

Imran Khan at a charity dinner at Norfolk Gardens (Image: Newsquest)

'Shocked and saddened'

A spokesperson for the University of Bradford said: “We were concerned to receive news that Imran Khan has been shot and wounded. The former Prime Minister of Pakistan was an influential and popular Chancellor of the University of Bradford and we hope that he recovers quickly.”

Bradford West MP Naz Shah has sent prayers to all those injured in the ordeal.

The Labour politician said: "Shocked and saddened by this shooting, wishing

@ImranKhanPTI a speedy recovery, my thoughts and prayers are with all those injured. #Pakistan Duas."

Who else was injured?

Among the wounded was Faisal Javed, a politician from Tehreek-e-Insaf. In a video statement, with bloodstained clothes, he said the attack will not stop Mr Khan’s protest march to Islamabad.

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan condemned the attack.

Fawad Chaudhry, a senior leader from Mr Khan’s party, told supporters surrounding Mr Khan’s truck the attack was an attempt to kill the former premier.

Mr Khan has been at loggerheads with Pakistan’s powerful military and has refused to halt his plans to march on the capital.

The military has said although Mr Khan had a democratic right to hold a rally in Islamabad, no one would be allowed to destabilise the country. Authorities in Islamabad have already deployed additional security around the city to deter any clashes or violence.

Earlier, Mr Chaudhry had said they planned to enter Islamabad on Friday.

Mr Sharif’s government has said there will be no early election and the next balloting will be held as scheduled in 2023.

Mr Khan’s latest challenge to the government comes after Pakistan’s elections commission disqualified him from holding public office for five years for allegedly selling state gifts unlawfully and concealing assets as premier.

Mr Khan, who has challenged the disqualification in a pending court case, said he would sue chief election commissioner Sikandara Raja, who was behind the decision, for calling him a “dishonest person”.

The attack comes as the impoverished country is grappling with the aftermath of unprecedented floods that struck the Islamic nation over the summer, killing 1,735 people and displacing 33 million.

Mr Khan’s supporters rallied in different parts of the country hours after the shooting.

The international cricket star turned politician resigned as Chancellor of the University of Bradford in 2014, saying he could not commit enough time to the role.

At the time, the university said he was not only an ambassador for the university but a great role model.

In 2014, Professor Brian Cantor, Vice-Chancellor of the University, said: “Imran has played a critical and important role for us as chancellor of the university over an extended period of time. He has been a truly outstanding ambassador for the university and a wonderful role model for our students.

“He has awarded degrees to many students here at Bradford, and has also set up one of the fastest growing colleges in Pakistan, Namal College, where students also receive University of Bradford degrees.

“From discussions I have had with Imran, I know he is proud to have served as our chancellor and is thankful of the support and advice we have given him in setting up Namal College.”

When he stood down as chancellor, Mr Khan said: "It has been my honour to serve as Chancellor of the University of Bradford. This has been a rewarding and informative experience and one that I will cherish.”

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