Dean of KU Islamic Studies department shot dead

Published September 18, 2014
Dr Shakeel Auj, Dean of Islamic Studies department, University of Karachi. — Screengrab
Dr Shakeel Auj, Dean of Islamic Studies department, University of Karachi. — Screengrab

KARACHI: Dean of Islamic Studies Faculty at the University of Karachi Dr Shakeel Auj was shot dead by unknown assailants on Thursday.

His vehicle was fired at following which he was taken to the Aga Khan University Hospital where an official said Dr Auj was dead on arrival and that his family members were present at the hospital.

Dr Auj was shot three times in the neck and chest. He was heading to attend an event by Iranian consulate with a fellow professor Tahir Maqsood. His body has been taken to Jinnah Hospital for autopsy.

The incident took place in Karachi's Gulshan-i-Iqbal Town near the Baitul Mukarram mosque and police and Rangers personnel reached the site soon after.

SSP Pir Mohammad Shah told BBCUrdu that a madrassah in Karachi had issued a fatwa relating to alleged blasphemy against Dr Auj.

The SSP added that following the fatwa, a message declaring the professor as 'wajibul qatl' (liable to be killed) was made public via SMS messages.

Taking notice of the incident, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad has ordered Inspector General of Sindh Police Ghulam Hyder Jamali to submit a report on the incident.

As news of Dr Auj's death was confirmed, it was announced that Karachi University would remain closed for three days.

Dr Mohammad Shakeel Auj was an author, a professor and dean at Karachi University’s faculty of Islamic Studies. He also used to edit Al-Tafseer — an HEC-recognised research journal on Islamic Studies.

He has been associated with KU for 19 years and had been heading the Islamic Studies department since February 1, 2012. According to the university's website, Dr Auj has written 15 books.

Opinion

Editorial

Throttling connectivity
Updated 15 Aug, 2024

Throttling connectivity

Now the authorities seem to have decided that WhatsApp has replaced X as the new staging ground for dissent and are tightening the noose.
Targeting TTP
15 Aug, 2024

Targeting TTP

IF the priority being given to it by the security apparatus is any indication, terrorism seems to be metastasising...
Transgender justice
15 Aug, 2024

Transgender justice

TRANSPHOBIC attitudes, conflicting emotions among men and easy access to weapons have turned parts of the country,...
Rebuilding a dream
Updated 14 Aug, 2024

Rebuilding a dream

"True" independence — and not in the sense of a political slogan — can only be achieved when Pakistan’s children are assured of a better tomorrow.
A general’s arrest
14 Aug, 2024

A general’s arrest

A PAKISTAN Army general who had once seemed all-powerful has been arrested by his own institution for a list of...
No exceptions
14 Aug, 2024

No exceptions

CAREER civil services officer Rashid Mahmood Langrial, who recently became the ninth person to be appointed head of...