On November 3, 2022, a video of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan being shot in the leg at a political rally in Wazirabad went viral on Twitter.Video shows the exact moment the gunman opened fire, injuring Khan and several others. While Khan survived, the attack raised comparisons to the 2007 assassination of Benazir Bhutto and prompted outrage and conspiracy theories across social media. This article will analyze the Imran Khan shooting video on Twitter, examining the public response and the impact on Pakistan’s chaotic political climate.
| Date | November 3, 2022 |
|---|---|
| Location | Wazirabad, Punjab province |
| Injuries | 1 dead, 13 injured including Imran Khan |
| Reactions | Condemnations from Shehbaz Sharif, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari; shock and anger on Twitter |
| Comparisons | To assassination of Benazir Bhutto in 2007 |
| Investigation | Ongoing, gunman arrested and confessed |
I. Imran Khan Shot During Rally in Pakistan
Rally Turns Violent With Gun Attack on Former PM
On November 3, 2022, former Prime Minister Imran Khan was shot in the leg during a political rally in Wazirabad, located in Pakistan’s Punjab province. Khan was leading an anti-government march towards the capital Islamabad when the attack took place.
| Date | November 3, 2022 |
|---|---|
| Location | Wazirabad, Punjab province |
Video footage shows Khan waving to the crowd from atop a modified truck just moments before a lone gunman opens fire, injuring Khan and at least one other person. Chaotic scenes follow as Khan is rushed to receive medical attention.
Former Cricket Star Turned Politician Targeted
Imran Khan is one of Pakistan’s most prominent political figures. Prior to entering politics, Khan was an acclaimed cricket star who led Pakistan to its first and only World Cup victory in 1992.
- International sports icon
- Founded political party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)
- Elected Prime Minister in 2018
- Ousted in no-confidence vote in April 2022
Khan drew massive crowds during his “Haqeeqi Azadi March” to demand early elections. The attack took place just days after Khan narrowly escaped an aviation accident while traveling to the rally.
II. Video of Attack Goes Viral on Twitter
Shocking Footage Shared Widely
Video footage of the shooting was quickly shared on Twitter and went viral. The graphic video shows the exact moment a gunman opened fire on Khan’s convoy. It captures the panic and chaos as shots ring out and Khan falls injured while standing on top of a vehicle.
| Type | Video |
|---|---|
| Length | 49 seconds |
| Views | Over 1 million times |
Outrage and Concern Expressed Online
The harrowing video sparked outrage on social media. Many Twitter users expressed anger over the attack and prayed for Khan’s safety. Others raised concerns about Pakistan’s security situation and the threat to political leaders’ lives.
- Trending hashtags: #ImranKhan, #ImranKhanInjured
- Over 50K tweets in first hour
- Tweets from international leaders
III. Supporter Killed, Over 10 Injured in Shooting
Shooting Occurs Shortly After Rally Location Change
The shooting occurred shortly after Imran Khan changed the location of his rally, promising to speak elsewhere instead. Gunshots rang out as Khan was standing on an elevated platform attached to a truck in Wazirabad.
| Deceased | Moazzam, 35 years old |
|---|---|
| Injuries | 13 people, including a legislator’s son and a 13-year-old child |
Khan Sustains Bullet Injury in Right Leg
Khan sustained a bullet injury in his right leg among the gunfire. He was quickly taken to a hospital and reported to be out of danger. Over 10 rally participants suffered wounds as well, including a fatality.
- 1 killed: Moazzam, Khan supporter
- 13 injured: Various ages and professions
- Khan shot in right leg, not critical
IV. Attacker Claims He Acted Alone, Cites Khan “Misleading” People
Gunman Says He Targeted Khan for “Misguiding the Public”
The gunman was arrested at the scene after opening fire on Imran Khan’s container truck. In a video statement, he confessed to the shooting and claimed he acted alone without any backing.
“I tried to kill Imran Khan because I think he is misleading the public,” said the attacker. “No one told me to do this. I planned this attack myself because I cannot bear watching how he is deceiving the people.”
| Name | Age | Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| Naveed | Late 20s | Unemployed |
Investigation Underway, PTI Demands Answers
Authorities have the suspected gunman in custody and an investigation is underway. Imran Khan’s PTI party is demanding a probe into the security lapses that allowed the attack.
“How did this attacker get so close to Imran Khan?” asked a PTI leader. “The provincial and federal governments must accept responsibility for failing to provide adequate security despite knowing there were threats.”
- Gunman was standing just 10 feet from Khan
- No proper screening of rally attendees
- PTI calls attack “planned assassination attempt”
V. Khan Receives Medical Care, Out of Danger Per Reports
Taken to Hospital, Injuries Not Life-Threatening
Imran Khan was shot in the leg during the attack but his injuries were not critical per reports. He was quickly taken to Shaukat Khanum hospital in Lahore by helicopter where he received urgent medical care.
| Injury | Gunshot wound to right leg |
|---|---|
| Treatment | Surgery to remove bullet fragments |
| Prognosis | Expected full recovery |
Outpouring of Support on Twitter
As news of the attack spread, there was an outpouring of support for Imran Khan on Twitter. Many political leaders and celebrities tweeted their condemnations of the attack and well wishes for his recovery.
- #ImranKhan trended for hours worldwide
- Fans shared relief Khan was not critically wounded
- “Get well soon Kaptaan” messages flooded Twitter
Continues Calls for Early Elections from Hospital Bed
True to form, Imran Khan continued his calls for early elections in Pakistan even from his hospital bed. In an address to the nation the day after the attack, he remained defiant and urged his supporters to continue protesting peacefully for “Haqeeqi Azadi” (real freedom).
“I will give a call when I’m ready to march again! The march will resume after I recover, God willing.” – Imran Khan
VI. Conclusion
The attack on Imran Khan sent shockwaves through Pakistan. While the motives remain unclear, investigations are ongoing. The nation hopes answers and justice will come soon, while remaining vigilant about the security of public figures and rallies to prevent such attacks in the future.
The information in this article is synthesized from multiple sources. While efforts were made to verify accuracy, details may not be fully accurate or verified. Exercise caution when citing this article.