Karachi, 3 August 2025
The Karachi Bar Association (KBA) has issued a strong ultimatum to Sindh police, demanding the immediate arrest of those involved in the brutal assassination of Senior Advocate and Advocate Supreme Court, Khawaja Shamsul Islam, who was gunned down outside Quran Academy Masjid in Karachi on 1 August.
In an emergent General Body meeting held on Saturday, the KBA expressed “deep grief, outrage, and strongest condemnation” over the targeted killing. The session was attended by over 600 members, including the full KBA Cabinet 2025, elected members of the Sindh Bar Council, representatives from the Sindh High Court Bar Association, and former Bar officials.
Ultimatum to Police
The Bar has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the Inspector General of Police Sindh to arrest all suspects nominated in FIR No. 593/2025, registered at PS Darakhshan. It has demanded a transparent, time-bound investigation and the implementation of foolproof security for legal professionals.
Failure to act within the deadline, the KBA warned, would trigger a province-wide strike, including:
•Complete suspension of legal work across Sindh until all suspects are apprehended
•Sit-ins and protests at major legal venues in Karachi and other districts
•Mobilisation of the Pakistan Bar Council and other provincial bar councils to support a nationwide movement
The Bar has also called for immediate protection to be provided to the family of Khawaja Shamsul Islam.
The legal fraternity has also resolved to suspend all court activities at City Courts, Karachi, until those nominated in the FIR are arrested.
Call for Permanent Security Measures
The General Body further demanded the Government of Sindh to urgently devise and implement permanent security mechanisms for lawyers and judicial premises across the province.
To ensure follow-up, the KBA has announced the formation of a liaison committee to engage with law enforcement agencies and monitor investigation progress until justice is served.
The killing of Khawaja Shamsul Islam, a respected figure in Pakistan’s legal circles, has sent shockwaves through the country’s legal and civil society. Calls for justice are growing louder as lawyers gear up for a decisive protest movement
