LAHORE: Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan Tuesday sustained serious injuries on his head and back after falling from a lifter during climbing up the stage installed for an election rally in Lahore.
TV footage showed him tumbling down along with three or four personal body guards on a pick up truck. The PTI chief was seen bleeding when he was taken away by his party supporters to the city’s Liberty Hospital.
The 60-year-old, who has undertaken a punishing schedule of daily rallies but who is known for his physical fitness, tumbled from a riser along with several of his staff, seemingly after one of them lost their balance.
Witness Raza Zaidi told AFP that Khan was being lifted on a crane with five people but lost his balance and fell when a sixth one tried to climb up. Khan hit the lifter before falling on the ground.
Khan sustained injuries on his head and back, said the hospital sources. They also said that Khan had to have as many as 16 stitches due to the injuries he sustained at back of his head.
The rally was held near Ghalib Market in Lahore’s Gulberg neighbourhood.
PTI spokeswoman Shirin Mazari told AFP Khan was injured on his forehead after falling from a height of more than seven feet (over two metres), but was conscious.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz issued sympathetic statements to their competitor in Punjab. They prayed for swift recovery of Khan.
Sharif, in rare goodwill gesture, has asked his party workers to immediately halt the media advertisements against Imran Khan.
Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Fakhruddin G. Ibrahim, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain and Allama Tahirul Qadri also showed sympathy towards the PTI chief and prayed for his well being.
Famous singer and PTI leader Abrarul Haq has said the party chief is out of danger and stable now at the hospital. Another party leader Asad Umar, talking to Dawn.com, also confirmed that Khan is now conscious and well.
People at the rally venue, where thousands had gathered, expressed sadness.
“Passion and love for Imran Khan brought all these people here. We are still here, all we can do is pray now,” said Sobia Khan, a PTI supporter.
Imran Khan’s ex-wife Jamima Khan also tweeted that he is stable and conscious now
