The former PPP district president of Orakzai was driving home with his family on Saturday night when his car was ambushed by gunmen near Marai village. His wife died at the scene, while the PPP district president was taken to the hospital with injuries. The family had been travelling home from Islamabad.
PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari condemned the attack and called on the government to locate and arrest the gunmen, who at this time remain unidentified. He further expressed condolences to Malik Iqbal and members of his family, and prayed for his speedy recovery.
Police have registered a case regarding the incident, and have speculated that 'an old enmity' may be behind the attack.
In recent weeks, the security situation in KP has reportedly deteriorated, as noted by Awami National Party (ANP) leader Mian Iftikhar Hussain who said that terrorist groups in the province were mobilizing and called on the government to take action.
Last week, two policemen were martyred and one more injured in a gunfire attack on a police check post in Nowshera, outside Peshawar. Three unidentified armed men got out of their car at the check point and opened fire on the policemen, before driving away.