Karachi Police Seek Afridi on Exit List in Lawyer’s Murder

Download IPFS

Karachi police request Federal Investigation Agency to place Imran Afridi, prime suspect in Khawaja Shamsul Islam’s murder, on the Provisional National Identification List to prevent his escape.

Karachi, Pakistan – Karachi police have formally requested the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to add Imran Afridi, the prime suspect in the murder of senior lawyer Khawaja Shamsul Islam, to the Provisional National Identification List (PNIL), a measure to block his exit from Pakistan. The move follows the targeted killing on August 1, 2025, in Karachi’s Defence Housing Authority (DHA) Phase VI.

Khawaja Shamsul Islam, a prominent advocate, was fatally shot outside a mosque after attending a funeral prayer, with his son also injured in the attack. Police identified Afridi, a former gunman employed by Shamsul Islam, as the assailant, alleging he acted out of personal enmity, claiming the lawyer orchestrated his father’s murder in 2021, according to ARY News. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) South Asad Raza confirmed Afridi’s identification and noted that police have set up checkpoints at city exits, including bus terminals and Sohrab Goth, to apprehend him, as reported by Daily Times. Two of Afridi’s relatives have been detained for questioning in Gulshan Sikandarabad.

The investigation has secured critical evidence, including closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage and a postmortem report indicating a single bullet to Shamsul Islam’s heart proved fatal, per ARY News. Raids in Akhtar Colony, Shireen Jinnah Colony, and Clifton have led to additional detentions as police hunt for Afridi’s accomplices. Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar has directed South Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) to provide regular updates and mobilize teams for swift arrests, according to The Express Tribune.

The Karachi Bar Association condemned the murder, demanding immediate action, and announced a court boycott to protest the killing, as noted by Geo News. Shamsul Islam, known for handling high-profile civil cases, including land disputes worth billions, had survived a prior assassination attempt in November 2024. The case underscores ongoing security challenges in Karachi, where targeted killings remain a concern. Police efforts to place Afridi on the PNIL reflect a determined push to ensure justice.