Pakistan - minister shot

Religious Affairs Minister wounded in drive-by shooting

Article published on the 2009-09-02 Latest update 2009-09-02 12:08 TU

Pakistan media say Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has ordered an enquiry.
(Photo: Reuters)

The Religious Affairs minister of Pakistan has been wounded and his driver killed in a drive-by shooting in Islamabad. Hamid Saeed Kazmi had been travelling in his official car near his office in the Melody Market area of the city when unknown gunmen opened fire, police said.

 Doctors say the minister’s wounds, a compound fracture in his lower leg caused by a bullet, are not critical.

The body of his driver was brought into the hospital with a bullet wound in his forehead. Another guard was seriously injured.

The News International  newspaper reports that Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has ordered an enquiry into the shooting.

Kazmi has been highly critical of the Taliban, blaming the group for hundreds of attacks in recent years.