Karachi, August 1, 2025; Renowned lawyer Khawaja Shamsul Islam was shot dead on Friday during a funeral prayer in Karachi’s upscale Defence Phase 6 area. His son, Advocate Khawaja Daniyal, sustained injuries in the attack and is currently undergoing treatment.
The fatal shooting occurred near Farhan Academy mosque, where funeral prayers were being held for well-known businessman Muzammil Karim Paracha, who had recently passed away in Dubai. Eyewitnesses reported scenes of panic as gunfire erupted just outside the mosque, striking both father and son.
According to DIG South Asad Raza, the suspected assailant has been identified as Imran Afridi, reportedly the son of a former gunman employed by the slain lawyer. Afridi is said to have a prior history of animosity towards Khawaja Shams, and had allegedly attacked him a few months earlier.
Initial police investigations suggest that Afridi believed Khawaja Shamsul Islam was involved in the 2021 killing of his father, which may have motivated Friday’s attack. SSP South Mehzor Ali confirmed that an eyewitness claimed the assailant shouted that he had “avenged his father” while fleeing the scene.
Police have recovered spent bullet casings, which will be sent for forensic examination. A manhunt has been launched to apprehend the suspect, while further investigations are underway to confirm the motive and details surrounding the prior conflict.
The legal community has condemned the killing, calling it a grave attack on the rule of law and demanding swift justice.
