Pak: Imran Khan stable after fall from stage during a rally

Islamabad: Pakistani cricketer-turned politician Imran Khan, who was injured after he fell off a forklift in Lahore on Tuesday, is in a stable condition, his spokesman and party leaders said. Khan, chairman of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI), fell off a forklift while he was being raised to a stage to address an election rally, his spokesman Ejaz Chaudhry said.

Chaudhry said the PTI chief received injuries at the forehead but said he is out of danger, reported Xinhua. The incident has left the 60-year-old Pakistani leader with two hairline skull fractures and has knocked him off the campaign trail ahead of Saturday's general election.

TV footage showed Khan was taken to hospital while bleeding continued from his forehead. He was first taken to a local hospital for stitches and later was transferred to Shaukat Khanum Hospital for further treatment, PTI leader Asad Umar said. Shaukat Khanum Hospital was built by Khan in honour of his late mother.

PTI leader Dr Yasmin Rashid also said that Khan is conscious and is talking, which is a good sign in case of head injuries. She said doctors put 16 stitches. Another party leader Asad Omar said that Khan was talking to the doctors and he was confident.

He said that Khan will not address the public meeting on Tuesday night and will take a rest. He appealed to the people to pray for him. He told Khan's supporters that there is no need to panic. Police have held Khan's security guard responsible for the incident in its preliminary investigation. Police sources said the third guard tried to climb on the lifter that led to its falling down.

Khan's party cancelled all public meetings in Lahore, the party 's spokesman said. A large number of PTI supporters arrived at Shaukat Khanum Hospital to visit the party leader. Punjab's Chief Minister Najam Sethi also visited Khan in hospital and inquired about his health.

In their separate messages, President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso, Interior Minister Malik Habib Khan, Chief Election Commissioner Fakhruddin G Ibrahim and Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif and other political leaders wished Khan a speedy recovery.