KARACHI: A professor of Islamic studies was shot dead in Pakistan’s port city of Karachi Thursday, officials said.

Mohammad Shakil Auj, the 54-year-old dean of Islamic Studies at the University of Karachi, was gunned down in his car while on his way to an Iranian cultural center where he was invited as a guest of honor.

His car was being driven down a ramp from a flyover, when “bullets were fired, one hit the professor in the head and he died,” senior police officer Pir Mohammad Shah told AFP. Another bullet struck Prof. Auj’s junior colleague, whom police named only as “Amna” in the arm, wounding her.

Auj, a recipient of a presidential medal of distinction, was known for his unorthodox views and was fighting a court case against his predecessor whom he had accused of circulating a text message that called him an apostate.

“We would tell him to be cautious as he was very aggressive in promoting his liberal views,” said Prof. Tauseef Ahmed Khan, an old friend, and chairman of the Mass Communications department of the Federal Urdu University.

Police spokesman Atiq Shaikh said: “Police are investigating the case considering various aspects, including personal enmity.”

University students meanwhile held a protest inside the campus, demanding the arrest of Auj’s killers. They held placards that read: “The murders of teachers is a murder of the whole society,” and “Security should be provided to the teachers.” The university will remain closed for three days of mourning.