Police in Pakistan's Punjab province have arrested two more suspects, who they believe had sold the pistol and bullets for PKR 20,000 to Naveed Mohammad Basheer, the assailant who tried to assassinate former premier Imran Khan during a political rally, according to a media report on Friday.
Imran, 70, suffered a bullet injury in the right leg on Thursday, when Basheer fired a volley of bullets at him in the Punjab province, where he was leading a protest march against the government.
Basheer later confessed that he attacked Imran because "he was trying to mislead the public."
Police sources said that two other suspects Waqas and Sajid Butt sold Basheer a pistol and bullets for PKR 20,000, adding that the pistol did not have a number or license, Geo.tv reported.
They were arrested from Wazirabad in Punjab province, the report said, quoting police sources.
According to eyewitnesses, Basheer fired on the container-mounted truck carrying Khan from a close range.
Imran was shifted by road to his own-built Shaukat Khanum medical facility in Lahore where an operation was performed and was stable after it, according to his party.
His party said he is stable now, adding that he was determined to continue his protest march.
Meanwhile, Pakistan's Interior Ministry has asked the Punjab provincial government to constitute a high-level joint investigation team (JIT) to bring facts to light in connection with an assassination attempt on Imran.
While Imran's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is the ruling party in Punjab province, the federal government is run by a coalition led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
According to a statement issued late on Thursday, the Interior Ministry has written to the Punjab government over the issue. The communique asked the provincial government to include senior police officers and intelligence personnel in the JIT.
Earlier, speaking at a press conference with Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said the JIT should consist of senior officers for credible and transparent inquiry into the incident. He also assured the provincial government of the center's full assistance in the probe.
The minister also blamed the Punjab government for the security lapse that may have led to the firing. He placed the responsibility for the leaked video of the assailant's confession on the provincial government's shoulders as well.
He criticised PTI leaders Asad Umar and Shireen Mazari for blaming the top government and military officials for the incident, without any proof or evidence.
Censuring PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry for allegedly inciting people to attack the houses of Opposition leaders, Sanaullah said, "You too do not live in the skies. If you foment violence, the blaze you ignite will also engulf you."
While confirming threats to the PTI chairman's life, the minister added foolproof security arrangements were made for his protection. He also advised the PTI chief to change his course of action in the wake of the incident.
He said on directions of the prime minister, he has sought a report from the Punjab government, chief secretary and inspector general of police.
Aurangzeb advised the media and people to avoid speculation and refrain from irresponsible statements. She strongly condemned the firing and wished a swift recovery to Khan and other PTI leaders.
