KARACHI: The urine sample of the main suspect in a headline-grabbing hit-and-run accident in Karachi in which two people were killed earlier this month had tested positive for methamphetamine or ‘ice,’ a lab report seen by Arab News on Thursday said.

CCTV footage of the accident widely circulated on social media showed a fast moving Toyota Land Cruiser hitting a motorbike from behind, killing a female student and her father on August 19. Five others were also injured in the incident. The driver of the car, Natasha Iqbal, the wife of well-known businessman Danish Iqbal, was arrested at the spot of the accident. 

As part of the investigation, blood and urine samples were collected on the day of the accident and submitted to a lab on Aug. 21. A report was released to police on Wednesday. 

“Methamphetamine (ice) detected in the given sample,” the report, a copy of which is available with Arab News, said of Iqbal’s urine sample. 

Her blood sample, however, showed “no narcotic, sedative, psychoactive, toxic or any other foreign compound/element.”

Soon after the accident, Iqbal was admitted to Jinnah Hospital’s psychiatry ward after her family claimed she was suffering from psychiatric issues, and being treated with medication. She was sent on 14-day judicial remand last Wednesday. 

The incident sparked outrage on social media, with many accusing the police of providing preferential treatment to Iqbal since she comes from a rich and influential family. 

Two officials with direct knowledge of the investigation also confirmed the suspect had tested positive for methamphetamine. Arab News reached out to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Investigations Aleena Rajpar who did not comment on the lab report. 

“The report confirms that she was under the influence of ice,” a senior police official said on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to the media on the subject. “This finding will lead to an additional charge of driving under the influence of drugs.”

Another top official privy to the details of the case also said methamphetamine had been found in Iqbal’s urine sample. 

“It also didn’t find any signs of any medicines which the family claimed she was taking for psychiatric issues.”

The senior police official said Iqbal would be tried for manslaughter regardless of whether or not it was proven that she was intoxicated at the time of the incident. If a blood money compromise was reached between the two parties, Iqbal would still be tried for driving under the influence, he said. 

“The settlement might happen but the crime of drugs itself won’t be settled through compensation,” the official explained. “If the prosecution can prove this in the trial, she will be punished, if not, she will be acquitted.”

Prominent lawyer and rights activist Jibran Nasir agreed with the police official, saying if methamphetamine had been detected in Iqbal’s test results, then offenses under the Provincial Motor Vehicle Ordinance 1965 would be applicable in her case. 

Section 9 (2) under the Control of Narcotics Substances Act 1997 should also be added to the charges for the use or consumption of the drug, he added. 

Nasir said Iqbal would be charged with manslaughter and not murder since the drugs were not consumed with the intention to run over someone. 

“The use of drugs, however, will prove the element of rash and negligence beyond reasonable doubt.” he added, “and the driver can get the maximum penalty of 10 years jail term.”

ISLAMABAD: General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, the Pakistani Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (JCSC), is on an official visit to the Sultanate of Oman where he discussed military cooperation with top officials, the army’s media wing said on Thursday.

While in Oman, Mirza called on Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq bin Taimur Al-Said, Deputy Prime Minister for Defense Affairs, General Sultan bin Mohammed Al-Namani, the Minister of the Royal Office, Vice Admiral Abdullah bin Khamis Al-Raisi, the Chief of Staff Sultan Armed Forces (COSSAF), services chiefs and chairman of the Strategic and Defense Academy. 

“During separately-held meetings, both sides discussed military cooperation including training, security, counter-terrorism, defense industry and regional security environment; and acknowledged the commonality of views to expand military to military relationship and forge deeper strategic ties,” the Pakistan army said. 

“The Omani dignitaries acknowledged the sacrifices rendered by people and Armed Forces of Pakistan in the war against terrorism.”

On Tuesday, Islamabad invited Oman to invest in its agriculture, mineral and IT sectors under the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), a civil-military hybrid body set up last year to attract foreign investment in Pakistan, especially from Gulf nations.

As part of a push to seek foreign investment, Pakistan participated in the eighth session of the Pakistan-Oman Bilateral Political Consultations, held on Tuesday in Muscat, Oman.

The two sides “comprehensively” reviewed all aspects of bilateral cooperation at the conference, including political relations, trade and investment, security and defense, culture, health and consular matters. 

“The Omani side was invited to invest in agriculture, minerals and Information Technology under the Special Investment Facilitation Council,” the Pakistani foreign office said in a statement. 

“Noting the importance of Joint Ministerial Commission, the two sides agreed to hold the 8th session at an early date in Islamabad. The two sides also agreed to further elevate bilateral trade volume and to enhance investment cooperation.”

The Omani side also expressed support for the First Pakistani Business Expo to be held in Muscat on October 13-14 and welcomed Pakistan’s decision to give visas on arrival to Omani nationals, the foreign office said.

Bilateral consultations are an important dialogue mechanism between Pakistan and Oman to review bilateral relations and explore new areas of cooperation.