Pakistan court acquits influential suspect in high-profile hit-and-run case

A local court in Pakistan’s megacity Karachi acquitted Natasha Danish, the accused driver in the fatal Karsaz Road crash that left two people dead.

On August 19, Natasha was driving her SUV at breakneck speed in a service lane on Karsaz Road when she collided with three motorcycles and another car.

The accident resulted in the deaths of 60-year-old Imran Arif and his 22-year-old daughter Amna. Three others were also injured in the crash. The CCTV footage of the incident showed the SUV speeding through the narrow service lane just before the fatal collision.

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Following the crash, Natasha was arrested and charged with manslaughter. However, weeks after the accident, in September, the family of the victims unexpectedly pardoned her, allowing her to secure bail in the case.

Natasha’s blood tests reportedly confirmed she had been under the influence of “ice” (crystal meth) during the incident. However, earlier this month, the Sindh High Court also granted bail to her in the related drug case.

The Additional District and Sessions Court, Karachi East, delivered the ruling today. However, it retained charges of driving under the influence.

Widespread outrage

The incident sparked widespread outrage, with many questioning how affluent individuals often exploit the legal system to avoid accountability.

Critics argue that the diyat and qisas laws are frequently used by the wealthy to effectively get away with murder, particularly in cases where the victims are from poorer backgrounds and lack the resources to pursue justice.

Speaking to Nukta earlier, activist and lawyer Jibran Nasir criticized the handling of the second FIR in the case, which was registered under Section 11 of the Prohibition (Enforcement of Hadd) Order 1979 for consuming intoxicants.

"The police have applied the wrong section. Methamphetamine, commonly known as 'ice,' is not a scheduled drug under the 1979 Order," he said. "The correct charges should have been under the Control of Narcotics Substances Act of 1997, as Methamphetamine is a prohibited psychotropic drug under this law. These offenses are also non-compoundable, meaning she would have to face trial."

Senior lawyer Shaukat Hayat also weighed in on the legal aspects of the case, conceding that "influential individuals often exploit laws to escape the full brunt of justice."

While he emphasized that the state is not supposed to intervene when a compromise is reached, he argued that "all crimes in Pakistan are also crimes against the state, and the state should prosecute accordingly."

Hayat further noted that influential people often interfere in the investigation process, exerting pressure on police officials to manipulate outcomes.