M A I N   N E W S

Imran falls off forklift at poll rally, injured
Afzal Khan in Islamabad

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan suffered a head injury on Tuesday after falling off a forklift carrying him up to the stage from where he was to address an election rally in Lahore.

Khan was bleeding profusely when he was shifted to nearby Jinnah Hospital. After first aid, he was taken to Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital for further treatment. Doctors in Jinnah Hospital said despite a lot of bleeding, Khan was out of danger.

His party leader and famous folk singer Abrarul Haq told reporters that initial examination has shown that Khan has received injuries on his head, arm and back. He fell flat from the lift. "But most of injuries are stated to be superficial and no inner injury has been detected.”

The top leadership of the country, including Nawaz Sharif, Altaf Hussain, Najam Sethi, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Chief Election Commissioner Fakhruddin G Ebrahim, expressed concern and prayed for his early recovery. Khan was due to address about half-a-dozen public rallies in Lahore this evening. Earlier during the day, he spoke at three cities in Punjab.

The 61-year-old cricket star-turned-politician fell from the lift along with his security guards from 14-20-ft height apparently after they lost balance as the lift soared to the top of the stage.

TV footage showed Imran Khan being carried by his associates in a semi-conscious state to a vehicle which then drove off to Shaukat Khanum Hospital for medical aid. There was no ambulance at hand.

At Shaukat Khanum Hospital which he founded for the treatment of cancer, thousands of party workers and leaders gathered and prayed for his recovery. Many youths offered to donate blood which the doctors said would be needed as Khan was bleeding profusely.

According to initial reports, Imran sustained an injury on the back of his head.