Khalid Shahanshah (Urdu: خالد شهنشاه ) was security chief of Benazir Bhutto's residence. Bilawal House Security in-charge Khalid Shahanshah, was also personnel bodyguard and Chief of Security of slain Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairperson Benazir Bhutto. Khalid Shahanshah was also the right hand of the current president of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari. In the year 2002 Khalid Shahanshah participated in the elections for a seat in the National Assembly for Pakistan. Looked upon as a Legend in his city Khalid Shahanshah fought for student rights, helped the poor community, and brought to justice many of Karachi's worst criminals and gangsters. Khalid Shahanshah was gunned down by unidentified assailants in Karachi on July 22, 2008[1]. The murder of Khalid Shahanshah, in charge of PPP co-Chairman Asif Zardari's security, was the second targeted killing of a Pakistan People's Party (PPP) chief security officer. 8 years ago Munawar Suharwardi, chief of security to the late Benazir Bhutto, was also killed in a targeted hit in Karachi in a similar manner. Benazir had termed the murder a message from the military rulers to her. Benazir, as we know now, was ultimately assassinated.
Like the murder of Suharwardi three years ago, the assassination of Shahanshah has also been termed by PPP aides as a ‘message' - this time to Zardari, who became the chief of the PPP after the assassination of his spouse Benazir.
Another potentially contentious point about Shahanshah's murder is that he was a key witness to Benazir's assassination in 2007. The then government had even taken him into custody as a part of the investigation into the incident. He was later released.
Shahanshah survived death twice before - first on October 18, 2007, when twin bomb blasts rocked Benazir Bhutto's welcome rally in Karachi, and later on December 27, 2007, when Benazir was killed in Rawalpindi.
The killing of his chief security officer has shocked the PPP co-chairman. He has expressed grief and sorrow over the death of his loyal security officer and directed the provincial government to take steps to arrest the killers. Zardari did not attend the funeral of his chief security officer due to security reasons.
Shahanshah was busy in arrangements for the birthday celebrations of Zardari on July 26. After his death, the party has cancelled all celebrations for the day.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, and almost all the cabinet ministers and advisers, have also expressed concern and offered condolences to Shahanshah's family. Sindh Home Minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza rushed to the hospital immediately after the murder and described the killing as a barbarous act and a conspiracy against the democratic system.
Shahanshah was an activist of the People's Student Federation (PSF) and later played an active role as a party worker till his death. Being an active worker and a close aide to the late Munawar Suharwardi, he served the party with zest and enthusiasm.
Later, he left the country and lived in exile in the United States. When Benazir Bhutto decided to return to the country, Khalid was included as chief of her security team.