In a concerning turn of events amidst the fervent campaigning for the upcoming general elections scheduled for Feb 8, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate Zulfiqar Ali Shah from PS-46 Mirpur Khas was targeted in a brazen gun attack, leaving him injured.

According to police reports, the incident unfolded when unidentified gunmen opened fire on Shah's vehicle, unleashing more than six bullets before swiftly fleeing the scene.

The ambush left the PPP candidate wounded, prompting an urgent rush to the hospital where he is currently undergoing treatment. Fortunately, his condition has been reported as stable by medical authorities.

This unsettling assault on Shah comes hot on the heels of a tragic incident last week, where a candidate supported by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Rehan Zeb Khan, fell victim to a fatal shooting during an election campaign in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Bajaur region.

The assailants, yet to be identified, unleashed gunfire on Khan, who was contesting for seats in NA-8 and PK-22, ultimately claiming his life.

The geographic spread of these attacks underscores a worrying trend, with political candidates facing mounting risks across various regions. The recent spate of violence targeting candidates has notably plagued areas such as Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, raising concerns about the safety and security of participants in the electoral process.