Imran Khan, a Pakistani, said he knew about the assassination plot before the shooting | Media Pyro

On Thursday, a gunman opened fire on Khan and his supporters during a controversial march demanding early elections. The gunman was immediately arrested by local police and remains in custody. Khan said one person was killed and 11 others injured in the attack.

Pakistani ruler Imran Khan has blamed top government officials for firing during the protests

He said he plans to return to the capital to participate in the protest march once he recovers. Before his speech, the doctor produced X-rays showing bullet fragments in his shin.

The shooting escalated tensions across Pakistan as thousands of Khan supporters began demonstrations after Friday prayers. Protesters shout “Revolution!” “Khan, your devotees are countless.” Protests also blocked major highways outside the capital Islamabad and in the cities of Peshawar, Lahore and Karachi.

Riot police moved in quickly, firing tear gas to disperse the crowd. Videos aired by local broadcasters showed some of Khan’s followers in Islamabad being put in the back of a police van. On the outskirts of the capital, hundreds of protesters continue to block highways despite thick clouds of tear gas and calls to disband.

Home Minister Rana Sanullah blasted Khan’s party at a press conference on Friday, saying the former leader had chosen the “path of destruction”.

After condemning Thursday’s attack, Sanaullah suggested that Khan’s heated rhetoric was partly to blame for the shooting and warned that national unrest would harm not only the ruling party.

“If you think so [your path] If it destroys others, then you must understand that it will not spare you either. You are sitting on the same branch,” he said, adding that the government was looking for “ways to counter the forces that fuel intolerance.”

Members of Khan’s party released statements blaming the Pakistani government for the shooting.

Fawad Chaudhary, a senior member of Khan’s party, described the attack as a “well thought out conspiracy”. Tweets After a meeting of Khan’s top political leadership. Chowdhury reiterated allegations that the firing was orchestrated by senior Pakistani leadership, referring to Pakistan’s prime minister, interior minister and a senior intelligence official.

Khan first blamed the officers hours after the shooting. He demands their removal and an inquiry into the firing.

“You crossed our red line. … now face the music, Tweeted Another senior Khan party member, Parvez Khattak, referred to the attack on Thursday.

Khan and the Pakistani government have gone head-to-head since the former cricketer was ousted by parliament this year. Khan blames his ouster on a foreign conspiracy, and in the months that followed, he built up his popular support by holding rallies across the country blasting Pakistan’s new leadership.

George reported from Kabul and Khan from Peshawar.