1:53pm UK, Wednesday September 03, 2008

Pakistan’s prime minister has survived an apparent assassination attempt – just hours before he was due to meet British Conservative leader David Cameron.

Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani

At least two shots were fired at Yusuf Raza Gilani‘s armoured car near capital city Islamabad.

Sources said the bullets penetrated the glass, but it was unclear whether the PM himself was inside at the time.

Television pictures showed shattered glass in the driver’s window of a black Mercedes which forms part of the prime ministerial motorcade.

Tory leader Mr Cameron

Mr Cameron, who is visiting the country, had been due to deliver a speech warning that terrorism could threaten the survival of Pakistan.

The attack comes with tensions in Pakistan running high ahead of the appointment on Saturday of a new President to replace Pervez Musharraf, who resigned last month.

The front runner is Asif Ali Zardari, the husband of assassinated former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and the leader of Mr Gilani’s party, the PPP.

Ms Bhutto was killed in a suicide gun and bomb attack on December 27 while campaigning for a general election. The government said al Qaeda-linked militants killed her.

The PPP went on to win the February 18 election and Mr Gilani became prime minister of a coalition government.

But Pakistan has suffered regular attacks by extremists, with more than 50 suicide bombings last year.

Murdered: Benazir Bhutto

The responsibility for most of the recent incidents has been claimed by extremists linked to the Taliban.

After the motorcade attack, the PM’s press secretary had said unknown assailants fired “multiple sniper shots” in what he described as a “murder attempt” on Mr Gilani.

But Interior Secretary Kamal Shah later insisted the vehicles were attacked on their way to the airport to pick up the prime minister, who was flying back from Lahore.

Shafqat Ali, a journalist in Islamabad, told Sky News that he had spoken to Mr Gilani’s interior adviser who confirmed it was an assassination attempt.

Mr Ali said he was told “the prime minister was the target” and that three gunman attacked from both sides of the motorcade.