KARACHI — In a tragic and targeted attack that has sent shockwaves across Pakistan’s legal community, renowned lawyer Khawaja Shamsul Islam was shot dead outside a mosque in Defence Phase 6, Karachi, on Thursday. He was 55.
According to police reports, Khawaja Shamsul Islam had just completed his prayers at a mosque on Khayaban-e-Rahat when unidentified assailants, waiting in ambush, opened fire on him. He sustained three bullet wounds. His son and another individual accompanying him were also injured in the attack and rushed to a private hospital.
Despite medical intervention, Khawaja Shamsul Islam succumbed to his injuries, marking a grim end to a career dedicated to justice. He was widely respected in legal circles for his work in high-profile criminal and civil litigation, and was particularly known as an expert in land dispute cases.
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Police officials, including SSP South, confirmed that investigations are underway and that the killing appears to be premeditated. Authorities also revealed that Khawaja Shamsul Islam had previously survived an assassination attempt last year, in which he was shot in the shoulder. That case remained unresolved.
In addition to his legal acumen, Khawaja Shamsul Islam was also a vocal advocate for legal reforms and had represented clients in several controversial and high-stakes cases. His sudden death has raised serious concerns about the safety of legal professionals in Pakistan, especially those involved in sensitive matters.
Colleagues and civil society members have condemned the killing and called for immediate justice.
“This is not just a loss for the legal community — it is an attack on justice itself,” said a fellow lawyer at the Karachi Bar Association.
Who was Khawaja Shamsul Islam?
- Senior lawyer with over two decades of experience in criminal and civil litigation
- Known for his expertise in property and land dispute cases
- Frequently appeared in high-profile court battles
- Previously survived an attack in 2023
Funeral prayers are expected to be held today, and a large turnout from the legal fraternity is anticipated. Calls for a city-wide lawyers’ strike have also been made.
