Assassination of Lawyer Khawaja Shamsul Islam within Karachi's DHA area
Prominent Lawyer Khawaja Shamsul Islam Assassinated in Karachi
Karachi, Pakistan - Senior and renowned advocate Khawaja Shamsul Islam was fatally shot in Karachi's Defence Housing Authority (DHA) area on August 1, 2025. The shooting occurred outside a mosque where Islam attended a funeral prayer, leaving his son injured in the attack.
The Karachi Bar Association announced a boycott of court proceedings on Saturday in reaction to the lawyer's murder. The Sindh High Court Bar Association strongly condemned the incident and demanded the immediate arrest of those involved.
Preliminary investigations suggest the shooting took place during an altercation, but further inquiry is ongoing. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has directed law enforcement agencies to immediately investigate the incident.
Islam, a prominent figure in Karachi's legal circles, was known for his significant role in the city's legal field. He had represented clients in over 500 legal matters and was actively involved in litigation concerning high-value properties across Karachi, worth billions of rupees.
One of his most notable cases was regarding the conversion of Fatima Jinnah's residence, Qasr-e-Naz, into a girls' hostel and dental college.
The assailant wore a shalwar kameez and escaped on a motorcycle after the shooting. The attacker's face was covered during the incident, and no new information about the assailant or the escape was provided. Police recovered two casings and one live bullet from the crime scene.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah expressed his sorrow over the murder and offered condolences to the bereaved family. He also instructed authorities to ensure the killers of Advocate Islam are swiftly brought to justice.
In a similar incident in November 2024, Islam survived an assassination attempt, during which he was shot in the hand. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of legal professionals in the area.
This tragic event underscores the risks faced by legal professionals in Karachi and highlights the importance of their roles in the local legal community.
[1] Karachi Bar Association announces boycott of court proceedings in reaction to the killing of Advocate Islam. (2025, August 1). The News. Retrieved from https://www.thenews.com.pk/
[2] Imran Khan Afridi identified as suspect in shooting of senior advocate Khawaja Shamsul Islam. (2025, August 1). Dawn. Retrieved from https://www.dawn.com/
[3] Assailant in shooting of senior advocate Khawaja Shamsul Islam wore a shalwar kameez and escaped on a motorcycle. (2025, August 1). Geo News. Retrieved from https://www.geo.tv/
[4] Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah expresses sorrow over the murder of Advocate Islam. (2025, August 1). The Express Tribune. Retrieved from https://tribune.com.pk/
[5] Khawaja Shamsul Islam, senior advocate, shot dead in Karachi. (2025, August 1). The Business Recorder. Retrieved from https://www.brecorder.com/
- The assassination of prominent lawyer Khawaja Shamsul Islam in Karachi has prompted the Sindh High Court Bar Association to strongly condemn the incident and demand the immediate arrest of those involved, as well as prompting the Karachi Bar Association to announce a boycott of court proceedings in protest.
- The shooting of senior advocate Khawaja Shamsul Islam took place during a general news event in Karachi, Pakistan, involving war-and-conflicts, and his case has significant implications for politics, as he was a prominent figure in Karachi's legal circles and highly experienced in high-value property litigation.
- The general news event of the shooting of senior advocate Khawaja Shamsul Islam, discussed in articles like those published by The News, Dawn, Geo News, The Express Tribune, and The Business Recorder, also raises concerns about crime-and-justice, as the attacker remains at large.
