Prominent lawyer Advocate Khawaja Shamsul Islam was tragically shot and killed near a mosque in Phase 6 of Karachi’s Defence Housing Authority (DHA) on Friday. His son, who was accompanying him, was also injured during the targeted attack and remains under medical treatment.
According to initial reports from law enforcement authorities, the shooting took place shortly after the senior lawyer left a nearby mosque. Both Khawaja Shamsul Islam and his son were critically injured and immediately transported to a private hospital. Despite medical efforts, the senior advocate succumbed to his injuries, while his son continues to receive treatment for gunshot wounds.
Khawaja Shamsul Islam was a well-known legal figure with decades of service in Karachi’s legal community. The motive behind the attack has yet to be confirmed, but investigators are exploring multiple leads, including the possibility of a targeted killing stemming from personal enmities or previous threats.
This was not the first time the lawyer had faced a violent assault. In November 2024, he was attacked in Karachi’s Clifton area. That incident occurred after he had offered prayers at Masjid Noorul Islam. Reports from that time indicated that a group of 15 to 20 unidentified assailants intercepted him outside the mosque. The attackers beat him with iron rods and opened fire. He sustained a bullet wound to his hand and injuries to his ear. He was later admitted to South City Hospital for treatment. Investigators had then attributed the attack to a personal dispute.
The recurrence of such targeted violence has raised concerns among the legal fraternity, prompting calls for improved security measures for lawyers, especially those handling high-profile or controversial cases. Many in the legal community have expressed grief over the incident and urged authorities to act swiftly to identify and apprehend the perpetrators behind this heinous act.
Authorities have sealed the crime scene and gathered surveillance footage from nearby areas. Forensic teams are examining bullet casings and other material evidence collected from the site of the attack. As the investigation progresses, officials are also looking into past threats the lawyer may have received and whether there were any recent altercations or disputes that could have led to this deadly incident.
The tragic killing of Advocate Khawaja Shamsul Islam serves as a grim reminder of the increasing risks faced by professionals in the legal field. With multiple incidents of violence in the past year, there is growing pressure on law enforcement agencies to bolster protection mechanisms for vulnerable individuals and ensure justice is delivered without delay.
