Police identify eight prime suspects in SC lawyer Khawaja Shamsul Islam's murder case

Arrest warrants issued for perpetrators behind targeted killing

Listen to article

Police submitted on Friday the initial report on senior lawyer Khawaja Shamsul Islam's murder before an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Karachi, identifying eight suspects.

The report, presented before the ATC in Karachi Central Jail's anti-terrorism complex, stated that the case was registered on the complaint of the victim’s brother, Khawaja Faisal, under charges of murder, attempted murder, and provisions of the anti-terrorism act.

The senior Supreme Court lawyer was attending the last rites of an acquantance after Friday prayers at the Quran Academy on Khayaban-e-Rahat, when suspect Imran Afridi shot him near the mosque stairs before fleeing to the crowd, according to police.

The court has ordered their arrest. The absconding suspects were identified as Imran Afridi, Zarar Afridi, Inam Khan, Usman Afridi, Taqdeer, Bahar Gul, Khasta Gul, and Shehryar.

Islam was accompanied by his sons - Khawaja Daniyal-ul-Islam and Khawaja Hamza-ul-Islam - as well as a private security guard and a police escort when he was targeted.

The primary suspect, Imran Afridi, son of Nabi Gul Afridi, allegedly took advantage of the crowd and opened fire, while Islam was descending the mosque's staircase. One shot was fired at Islam and another at his son Daniyal.

Read: Renowned advocate Shamsul Islam shot dead in Karachi

Hamza rushed his injured father and brother to South City Hospital, where Islam succumbed to the wound. Daniyal was shifted to Aga Khan University Hospital.

The FIR also refers to a previous attack on November 14, 2024, during which Imran Afridi and 15 to 20 armed accomplices assaulted Islam. That incident involved gunfire and physical violence, and was reported at the Clifton Police Station.

The Sindh Bar Council condemned the murder of the senior Supreme Court lawyer and announced a province-wide boycott of court proceedings on August 4.

Sindh Bar Council Vice Chairperson Shafqat Rahim and Executive Committee Chairman Muhammad Saeed expressed outrage over the failure of law enforcement agencies. They said that it was deeply regrettable that the nominated suspect had not been arrested despite confessing to the murder.