ISLAMABAD: Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) leader Arif Wazir has succumbed to his injuries in Islamabad, a day after he was attacked in a drive-by shooting outside his home in Wana, South Waziristan.
Wana Station House Officer confirmed Wazir, aged 27, passed away after being shifted to Islamabad for treatment. The police officer said a First Information Report (FIR) of the incident has been lodged at the Wana police station.
Arif Wazir was attacked outside his residence on Friday evening when unidentified armed men opened fire from a moving vehicle. Wazir received life-threatening injuries and was admitted to the District Headquarters Hospital, Wana. He was later shifted to an Islamabad hospital where he succumbed to his injuries a day later.
Arif Wazir is the first cousin of MNA Ali Wazir, a key leader of the PTM who was elected as an independent candidate from Wana in 2018 general elections. Wazir himself also unsuccessfully contested election for the provincial assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa last year.
Arif Wazir was released from jail on bail about one month ago. In 2007, seven members of his family, including his father and uncle, were killed in a clash with militants near Wana. PTM leader Mohsin Dawar has confirmed the killing of Arif Wazir and said they will continue their struggle.
Rights group Amnesty International issued a statement condemning the incident and said authorities must carry out an independent and effective investigation into the attack on Arif Wazir. They demanded that the suspected perpetrators must be held accountable.
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