Nowshera, Pakistan — In an unprecedented and shocking incident on Tuesday afternoon in Nowshera, a senior civil judge was shot dead, sending shockwaves through Pakistan’s legal community and prompting urgent discussions over their security.
Attaullah Khan was attacked while driving his official vehicle near Cantonment area when unknown assailants on motorcycles opened fire with close range ammunition, fatally wounding the judge before being transported to nearby hospital where he later succumbed to his wounds.
Law enforcement officials immediately cordoned off the area and launched a search operation for any possible attackers, though no group has claimed responsibility and their motive remains under investigation as of Tuesday evening.
“This is a terrible loss for the judiciary and an assault against our rule of law,” stated a senior police officer at the scene of crime. “We are treating this incident as a targeted killing and are following all leads in order to locate those responsible.”
Pakistan’s legal community was shocked and outraged at this act of violence. Bar associations across Peshawar, Islamabad and other major cities announced days of mourning and boycotts of court proceedings to protest this incident and demand better protection for judges and legal staff.
Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa has strongly condemned the murder and strongly advised the government to enhance security protocols for judges dealing with sensitive cases, especially those involved in sensitive ones. Such acts aim to intimidate and undermine judicial independence, so they must be dealt with firmly,” according to Isa in a statement released later that day.
Pakistan Bar Council issued a statement demanding a transparent investigation, characterizing this attack as “an assault on justice and democracy.”
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur expressed deep sadness over this tragedy and pledged that those responsible would be brought to justice. “We will not allow such cowardly acts to undermine the legal system,” he stated.
As investigations unfold, the death of Judge Attaullah Khan has highlighted the increasing risks faced by Pakistan’s judiciary, especially in regions where law enforcement faces problems from militant groups and criminal networks.