On Wednesday, Rehan Zeb Khan, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidate for NA-8 Bajaur, was fatally shot by unidentified assailants in the Siddiqabad Phatak Bazar area. The District Police Officer and SHO Rashid Khan confirmed the tragic incident. Khan, who was also contesting independently, aimed for a provincial assembly seat in PK-22.
The attack occurred as Khan was canvassing for the upcoming general elections at Siddiqabad Gate. He was targeted by unknown assailants while traveling in his personal vehicle.
Meanwhile, the PTI asserted that Rehan, endorsed by the party, was a candidate for a National Assembly seat. Strongly condemning the killing, the party expressed concern about blatant attacks on its representatives leading up to the general elections, casting doubt on the fairness of the polls. The PTI called for an immediate investigation into the attack and urged for the perpetrators to be held accountable. Additionally, the party called upon the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to take cognizance of the incident.
باجوڑ سے قومی اسمبلی کیلئے امیدوار ریحان زیب نامعلوم افراد کی فائرنگ سے جاں بحق
پاکستان تحریک انصاف کی قومی اسمبلی کے امیدوار ریحان زیب پر فائرنگ کی شدید مذمت
فائرنگ کے نتیجے میں ریحان زیب کے جاں بحق ہونے پر نہایت رنج اور دکھ کا اظہار
تحریک انصاف کے امیدواران و عوامی… pic.twitter.com/S0hRGtYGx4
— PTI (@PTIofficial) January 31, 2024
The PTI accused the caretaker government of prioritizing the promotion of a specific political party over fulfilling its constitutional duties. Hammad Azhar from the PTI emphasized that Rehan symbolized the aspirations of the country’s youth, striving for a better future for the people.
ریخان زیب خان شہید اس ملک کے تمام نوجوانوں کی علامت تھا۔ آنکھوں میں بلند خواب اور اپنے عوام کے لئے ایک بہتر مستقبل چاہتا تھا اور اس کے کئے عملی جدوجہد کر رہا تھا۔ کرپشن اور فسطائت کو تسلیم کرنے سے انکاری تھا۔
إنا لله وإنا إليه راجعون pic.twitter.com/J0dcAsDcUU
— Hammad Azhar (@Hammad_Azhar) January 31, 2024
2nd attack on PTI in 24 hours
This marks the second assault on PTI’s election efforts within 24 hours. The previous day, a bomb exploded at a PTI rally in Sibi, resulting in at least four fatalities and five injuries, as reported by police and witnesses.
Saddam Tareen, the PTI candidate for the National Assembly constituency NA-253, managed to escape unharmed during the Jinnah Road rally in Sibi. The injured were promptly taken to the Sibi District Headquarters (DHQ) hospital for urgent medical attention.
More to read: 19 killed in Pakistan terror attacks
Preliminary investigations by the police suggest that an improvised explosive device (IED) was placed on a motorcycle parked by the roadside. The IED detonated forcefully as the PTI rally passed through the area. Following the blast, all shops and markets along the main Jinnah Road were closed, and law enforcement personnel cordoned off the area to initiate investigations. Security measures were heightened in and around Sibi in the aftermath of the incident.