Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani says his son has been kidnapped by unidentified gunmen during an election rally.
Mr Gilani told the BBC his son Ali Haider – a candidate for the Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) – was seized in the central city of Multan.
He accused his political opponents of being behind the attack, which came ahead of Saturday’s elections.
One person was reportedly killed when the attackers opened fire at the rally.
No group has so far claimed responsibility for Thursday’s attack.
Taliban threats
Eyewitnesses say the gunmen arrived at the gathering in a black Honda car and a motorbike.
“A couple of them started shooting,” a teenager at the rally told Pakistan’s Geo TV.
“A man standing in front of Gilani was hit and fell down. Then they grabbed Gilani, put him in the car and sped away.”
Reports say the person who died in the shooting could have been Ali Haider Gilani’s bodyguard or secretary.
Ali Haider – the youngest son of the ex-prime minister – is contesting a seat in the Punjab provincial assembly.
The run-up to the 11 May elections has been marred by a series of attacks across the country in which dozens of people have been killed.
The Pakistani Taliban have threatened to prevent the PPP, the Awami National Party (ANP) as well the MQM party, from conducting their election campaigns because they are considered by the militants to be too liberal.
Agencies