A senior lawyer, Khawaja Shamsul Islam, was fatally shot while his son sustained injuries in a targeted attack in Karachi’s DHA Phase VI area.
According to police, the incident occurred as the lawyer and his son were exiting a mosque after attending funeral prayers. A masked assailant, dressed in a shalwar kameez, opened fire on them before fleeing the scene on a motorcycle.
Islam was shot in the abdomen, and his son in the back. Both were immediately transported to a nearby private hospital, where the lawyer succumbed to his injuries.
Eyewitnesses informed the police that the assailant had his face covered. Authorities recovered two bullet casings and one live bullet from the crime scene, which have been sent for forensic analysis.
DIG South Asad Raza stated that initial investigations suggest the shooting happened during an altercation, but a thorough inquiry is underway. Police officials later identified the suspect as Imran Khan Afridi, who reportedly served as Islam’s gunman.
Islam was renowned for his expertise in civil cases, having represented clients in over 500 legal matters. He was actively involved in high-stakes litigation concerning properties in Karachi worth billions of rupees. He also served as the counsel in a notable case regarding the conversion of Fatima Jinnah’s residence, Qasr-e-Naz, into a girls’ hostel and dental college.
This was not the first attempt on his life. In November 2024, he had survived a similar assassination attempt, during which he was shot in the hand.
In response to the killing, the Karachi Bar Association announced a boycott of court proceedings on Saturday, condemning the lawyer’s murder as “brutal” and stating that he was gunned down during Friday prayers. The Sindh High Court Bar Association also vehemently condemned the murder and demanded the swift arrest of all those involved.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah expressed sorrow over the incident. A spokesperson stated that the provincial chief executive extended his condolences to the bereaved family and instructed law enforcement agencies to immediately investigate the matter and ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.
