Imran Khan has been shot and wounded in an apparent assassination attempt, an act of violence against one of Pakistan’s most popular and influential political leaders that shocked the country.

Khan, 70, who was ousted as prime minister in a no-confidence vote in April, was injured in his leg and was not in a critical condition, according to Pakistani officials. Pakistan president Arif Alvi wrote on Twitter that Khan was “safe but injured with few bullets in his leg and hopefully non-critical”.

Officials said an assailant fired on Khan’s convoy as the former leader travelled through the city of Wazirabad, part of a week-long march intended to challenge the government of prime minister Shehbaz Sharif. A video of the scene captured a burst of gunfire as Khan stood on an open-top truck surrounded by supporters.