LAHORE  - Unidentified motorcyclists shot and wounded MQM NNA Tahira Asif on a busy road in Allama Iqbal Town on Wednesday.
The MQM female legislator sustained two bullets and was admitted to Sheikh Zayed Hospital in critical condition.
The hospital sources said her surgery was performed successfully and she was out of danger despite excessive bleeding. According to doctors, she was shot in her stomach and waist with a pistol.
Investigations are underway to ascertain whether the MQM leader was targeted in a gun attack in Lahore or it was a simple robbery attempt in the crime-prone locality.
Police investigators say they believe two unidentified motorcyclists shot and wounded the MNA during a robbery attempt.
Sitting in the car along with her daughter and driver, Tahira Asif was buying fruit from a roadside vendor when two gunmen appeared there on a motorcycle. They opened straight fire on the female legislator and fled. Police have registered a case and are investigating with no arrest so far.
MQM chief Altaf Hussain has strongly condemned the gun attack, demanding arrest of the attackers.
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif took notice of the incident and ordered the Lahore police to nab the gunmen. President Mamnoon Hussain also strongly condemned the attack and prayed for early recovery of the lawmaker.
Armed robberies are common in the populous Punjab province where at least 300 robberies are taking place every day, thanks to the government for leaving the public at the mercy of dacoits.