New Delhi: As former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan was shot in the leg during an anti-government protest in Wazirabad Wednesday, an image showing the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief on a mattress on the ground began circulating online.
The convoy of the former Pakistani cricket captain came under attack as the ‘Haqeeqi Azadi Long March’ was underway from Lahore’s Liberty Chowk to Islamabad. His aides said the attack was a clear assassination attempt by his rivals.
Several media houses used the picture along with the news item about Khan getting attacked.
Attack on Imran Khan: Pakistan PM directs Interior Minister to prepare immediate report https://t.co/LzV061oEhF
— Free Press Kashmir (@FreePressK) November 3, 2022
Indian journalist Anubha Bhonsle also shared the image while giving a breakdown of details related to the attack.
TV presenter Piers Morgan tweeted the photo saying reports mentioned “he was hit several times in his legs but survived & now being treated in hospital”.
BREAKING: Former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan shot in assassination attempt. Reports he was hit several times in his legs but survived & now being treated in hospital. Shooter was wrestled by another man as he fired, which may have saved Khan’s life. pic.twitter.com/rJbOhju01h
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) November 3, 2022
A journalist from Dawn News said the picture was the “Latest Picture of Imran Khan”.
Latest Picture of Imran Khan
Getting treatment and he is fine
As per Media reports now Imran Khan shifting to Shaukat Khanum Hospital Lahore pic.twitter.com/24BedZxgJY
— Abdul Ghaffar (@GhaffarDawnNews) November 3, 2022
Khan is being treated at a Lahore hospital and doctors said he was out of danger.
Fact check
The image being circulated, however, is not from Wednesday. It can be traced back to August 2014 when Khan had posted the picture on his Twitter account with a caption: “Night at the dharna”. The picture was taken even before he had become Pakistan prime minister in August 2018.
Night at the dharna. pic.twitter.com/5ppIGJAs1S
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) August 17, 2014
PTI had launched an Azadi March on 14 August, Pakistan’s Independence Day. The protest lasted for a record 126 days and ended on 17 December 2014. It was driven by accusations that the then ruling PML(N) had rigged the general election in May 2013. Khan’s party had demanded the resignation of then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
(in collaboration with SM Hoaxslayer)
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