The liberal Sunni Muslim religious scholar, Dr Ghulam Murtaza Malik who was gunned down late on Tuesday night in Lahore, may have been lured to his death.

Malik, known for his enlightened views on Islam and his refusal to accept extremist interpretation of religion, was shot dead alongside his driver and later a policeman who attempted to prevent the killers from escaping.

The incident took place close to 10.00pm on Tuesday night in the Gulshan-e-Iqbal area, where Malik had gone in his car to look at a plot where he wanted to set up a religious institution.

It was several hours later before the identity of the murdered men was established. According to Malik's son, Hammad, his father received a phone call at his Defence home on Tuesday evening, suggesting that he come and visit the plot. Police believe this call may have been made by someone "connected with his killers since the assassins knew Dr Murtaza's plan of movements, it would seem."

Other calls made to Malik's mobile number, some apparently from a Public Call Office, are being investigated.

Malik was shot at by two men on a motorcycle as his car neared the plot. He and his driver both received head injuries and died almost immediately.

Two constables on also motorcycle in the vicinity, then attempted to signal the killers to stop as they escaped. One of the policemen was shot dead in response. Residents of the area, who found Malik and his driver's bodies still inside their locked car, identified the assassins as "young men".

One was said to be a little heavy in build, and bearded, while the second was described as a slim, clean-shaven man.

Malik was seen as a non-controversial, liberal Sunni scholar linked to the Barelvi school of thought. He had however never been involved in any sectarian matter, and indeed was known as a man who stood above such issues.

He was a frequent commentator on religious matters on television, and thus known to many in the country. His views were so liberal that he had in the past asked whether American society, "where people can walk in peace along pavements and are well cared for" was not more Islamic than the one that existed within the country.

The operations , Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Aftab Cheema, who was one of the first officer to arrive on the spot of the murder, said "it is too early to consider a sectarian motive in the killing."