No arrest yet as FIR of senior lawyer's murder lodged under terror law

Police have registered an FIR of the murder of senior Supreme Court lawyer Khawaja Shamsul Islam, who was gunned down inside a mosque in Karachi’s Defence Housing Authority (DHA) after Friday prayers.

The case was lodged at the Darakhshan police station on the complaint of the deceased’s brother, Khawaja Faizul Islam under Sections 302 (premeditated murder), 324 (attempted murder), 109 (abetment), and 34 (common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code, read with Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, which deals with acts of terrorism.

The main suspect, Imran Afridi, along with seven alleged accomplices, has been nominated in the FIR.

According to the complainant, lawyer Shamsul Islam offered Friday and funeral prayers at the Quran Academy mosque in DHA Phase 6. As he and his sons, Daniyal and Hamza, came down the stairs after prayers, the suspect, Imran Afridi, allegedly opened fire on them. The senior lawyer sustained a bullet wound, and his son Daniyal was also injured. The attacker managed to flee the scene, taking advantage of the crowd.

Also Read: Prominent lawyer killed during funeral gathering in Karachi’s Defence area

Hamza, the younger son, rushed his father to South City Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries during treatment. Daniyal was transported to Aga Khan University Hospital by bystanders and remains under treatment.

The complainant further stated that Shamsul Islam had previously survived an attack in November 2024, which was also carried out by Imran Afridi and his associates. A case had been registered at the Clifton police station under terrorism charges and the Lawyers Protection Act.

The latest attack, according to the FIR, was carried out by Imran Afridi with the help or incitement of seven accomplices: Zarrar Afridi, Inam Khan, Usman Afridi, Taqdeer, Bahar Gul, Khasta Gul, and Sheharyar.