Aseefa sustains 'minor' injuries after drone camera strikes her at PPP march in Khanewal

PPP leader Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari was injured after a drone camera struck her at the party's anti-government march in Punjab's Khanewal on Friday, video footage aired on television showed.

The video showed Aseefa, who was standing atop a container alongside her brother and PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, lurching backwards as she attempted in vain to get out of the drone's way.

The drone, which was mounted with a camera, was being used for the media coverage of the march, DawnNewsTV reported, adding that Aseefa went inside the container after the device hit her.

Following the incident, Bilawal's security staff got hold of the drone operator, according to DawnNewsTV, which quoted Bilawal as saying that it was not clear whether the incident was an accident or the consequence of a deliberate act.

Punjab government spokesperson Hassan Khawar said the government responded immediately after the incident.

"The Rescue 1122 team and duty doctor Dr Babar (general surgeon at DHQ hospital) who were stationed next to container, immediately went into the container. [Aseefa] suffered a minor cut on [her] eyebrow and bruises on her hand," he tweeted.

Khawar said the drone "reportedly belonged to a media house".

Addressing the marchers, Bilawal said Aseefa was injured in the incident and paramedic staff recommended that she be shifted to a hospital. But Aseefa refused and insisted that she be treated only with a bandage, he added.

In an update on Twitter later in the day, Bilawal said Aseefa had left the hospital with "several stitches on deep lacerations". "The wounds will take some time to heal but she is now recovering."

Meanwhile, Aseefa's sister, Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari, shared a photo of hers with a bandage on her forehead.

After the incident, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz said in a tweet that she hoped Aseefa remained unhurt and prayed for all participants of the march to remain safe.

The PPP began its anti-government march, which is being led by Bilawal, on February 27 at the Quaid-i-Azam’s mausoleum in Karachi. The march's participants are travelling to Islamabad and plan to reach the capital by March 8 after passing through 34 cities and towns.