Punjab Home Minister Col (r) Shuja Khanzada was injured in a blast at his political office in Shadi Khan near Attock on Sunday.
According to initial reports, as a result of the explosion the roof of the provincial home minister’s office collapsed. Khanzada is reportedly trapped under the rubble along with 24 other people as the entire structure of his office building collapsed.
Its is also believed that a suicide bomber entered Khanzada’s political office and blew himself up. The provincial home minister was addressing a dispute between two parties at the time.
Punjab Home Department Secretary Azam Suleman told “As per initial reports Shuja Khanzada is critically injured and still trapped under debris,”
Police and rescue teams have reached the site and rescue efforts are underway. An emergency has been declared in hospitals in the twin cities.
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar has sent a helicopter for rescue efforts. Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has taken notice of the blast and DPO Attock has reached the site.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the blast at Khanzada’s residence and called for immediate rescue measures and medical aid for the injured.
Khanzada was given charge of the provincial home department in October 2014. He previously held positions as Punjab provincial minister and adviser to Punjab chief minister.
