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’s Agha weighs future after poor T20 World Cup campaign
- Pakistan suffered defeats at hands of heavyeights England, arch-rivals India in the tournament
- Pakistan’s middle order often did not click while spinners could not exploit turning conditions
Sri Lanka’s Sanath Jayasuriya said he will step down as head coach, while Pakistan’s Salman Agha said he will take time to decide whether to remain captain after both teams’ poor campaigns at the Twenty20 World Cup.
Tournament co-hosts Sri Lanka made the Super Eights but the 2014 champion lost all three matches to finish at the bottom of Group Two.
“I thought it was time to give it (the job) to someone else,” Jayasuriya said after their narrow defeat to Pakistan on Saturday.
“That’s why about two months ago I’d said during the England series that I don’t have hopes of staying in the job for long. I’d taken this decision by then.
“I thought I’d be able to leave as coach on a good note in the World Cup. I wasn’t able to do that as well as I’d like, and I’m sad about that.”
The former captain, whose contract runs until June, said he was yet to convey his decision to Sri Lanka Cricket.
“I haven’t given SLC any news officially yet. They don’t know that I am going to say this even. I will need to go and discuss with them.”
It was an underwhelming tournament for Pakistan as well that included a comprehensive defeat at the hands of arch-rivals India in a group match.
Pakistan’s middle order often did not click, while their slow bowlers could not make the most of the spin-friendly conditions in Sri Lanka where they played all their matches.
“We have underperformed in the whole tournament,” captain Agha told reporters.
“We are out of the semis due to our failure in decision-making in pressure situations.”
Agha said he and head coach Mike Hesson took full responsibility for their poor performance in a global multi-team event.
He was unhappy with his own form but said he was not in a hurry to take a call on whether to stay as Pakistan’s white-ball captain.
“I will go back and take some time to decide,” the 32-year-old said.
“Because at this point of time stepping down would be an emotional decision.”
