KARACHI: Police in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi registered a new case against the main suspect in a high-profile hit-and-run that killed two people after tests confirmed she was under the influence of methamphetamine, popularly known as ice, when she brought her vehicle onto the road.
CCTV footage of the accident was widely circulated on social media, showing a Toyota Land Cruiser allegedly driven by Natasha Iqbal, the wife of well-known businessman Danish Iqbal, hitting a motorbike from behind, resulting in the death of a female student and her father. Five others were also injured in the incident.
Initially, the defense lawyer told a local court she was undergoing psychiatric treatment to explain why she looked disoriented following the accident while seeking exemption for her from court appearance.
However, the hospital authorities later said the suspect’s family could not produce any evidence of her psychiatric treatment after securing her blood and urine samples.
“Suspect Natasha, wife of Danish Iqbal, ... was under the influence of methamphetamine (ice) at the time of the incident at 1830 hours,” the new police report said, registering her case under Section 11 of The Prohibition (Enforcement of Hadd) Order, 1979.
The legal provision deals with the prohibition of drinking alcohol, saying that any Muslim caught violating the law can be punished with up to three years in prison, whipping up to 30 lashes, or both.
Speaking to Arab News, Police Surgeon Dr. Summaiya Syed confirmed the medical report and said the case was filed on its basis.
“Chemical analysis report is positive for methamphetamine (ice) in the urine sample,” she said briefly. “Hence, it was confirmed that she had methamphetamine in her system at the time [of the accident].”
The hit-and-run case sparked intense social media outrage, with people suspecting the police were not investigating the case properly and saying it reflected impunity for the rich in Pakistan.
Police file new case after Karachi hit-and-run suspect tests positive for meth
https://arab.news/8f3gd
Police file new case after Karachi hit-and-run suspect tests positive for meth
- Two people were killed, five injured when a Toyota Land Cruiser in Karachi hit a motorbike from behind
- Natasha Iqbal, wife of a prominent businessman, was allegedly behind the wheel at the time of accident
Pakistan backs peace efforts in Yemen, warns factions on ground against unilateral actions
- Foreign office reaffirms Pakistan’s firm commitment to Yemen’s unity and territorial integrity
- Pakistani administration also expresses solidarity with Saudi Arabia amid regional tensions
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Office on Thursday said it welcomed regional efforts to ease tensions in Yemen and strongly opposed unilateral actions by any faction on the ground that could undermine peace or regional stability.
The development takes place after the Saudi-led Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen said it carried out a “limited” airstrike on Dec. 30, targeting two shipments of smuggled weapons and military equipment sent from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) port of Fujairah to Mukalla in southern Yemen.
Addressing a weekly news briefing, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi reiterated support and firm commitment to the unity and territorial integrity of Yemen.
“In this regard, Pakistan strongly opposes unilateral steps by any Yemeni party that may further escalate the situation, undermine peace efforts and threaten peace and stability of Yemen, as well as that of the region,” he said.
“Pakistan welcome regional efforts for de-escalation of the situation in maintaining peace and stability in Yemen.”
Andrabi highlighted that Pakistan supported a peaceful resolution in Yemen through dialogue and diplomacy, hoping that Yemenis and regional powers work together toward an “inclusive and lasting settlement.”
On Wednesday, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed “complete solidarity” with Saudi Arabia during a phone call with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman following Riyadh’s weapon shipment bombing in Yemen.
The Saudi airstrike on a UAE shipment in Yemen’s southern port city of Mukalla followed rising tensions linked to advances by the Emirates-backed Southern Transitional Council in the war-torn country.
Saudi Arabia, a major oil supplier to Pakistan, has provided billions in loans to help manage its economic crisis. The two countries have also signed a mutual defense pact last September, treating an attack on one as an attack on both.
