Karsaz accident: Police invoke new traffic section against the driver

KARACHI:

As pressure mounts on the city police and the probe progresses, investigators have added another charge to the case against the driver involved in the Karsaz traffic accident that killed two people and injured three others.

The hearing of the case will be on Thursday.

The investigation team has added Section 100 of the Motor Vehicle Act, which applies to driving while intoxicated.

On August 19, a speeding vehicle driven by Natasha Danish hit at least three motorcycles and a car before overturning on Karsaz Road. A father and daughter, 60-year-old Imran Arif and his 22-year-old daughter Amna, were killed, while three others were injured.

It is reported that Natasha was traveling from her home in KDA Scheme-I to her in-laws' residence, a distance of approximately one kilometre, when the incident occurred.

Two separate cases have been lodged against Natasha. The new case of drug use was registered after the medico-legal officer Dr Zainab Irshad issued a final medico-legal certificate.

Rumors and assumptions

This is one of the high profile cases in Karachi that has raised several questions.

As Natasha was brought to the hospital, discussions began circulating-without medical reports-suggesting that she was drunk or under the influence. Stories about possible favoritism by the hospital and police also spread in the media.

"This usually happens in high-profile cases when people assume that someone from an elite background receives favourable treatment because of their contacts," commented Pakistan Medical Association's Secretary General Dr. Abdul Ghafoor Shoro.

"The delay creates confusion," Dr. Shoro added. He explained that samples are often sent to forensic labs, which takes time. "People do not trust results that take time," he noted. "This creates mistrust, and investigators may not perform well," he said, urging that the government should set clear timelines for reports in all criminal cases.

Fake news and its impact

As news of the accident spread, social media influencers, especially vloggers and YouTubers, began sharing various stories, including a photo that purportedly showed Natasha being released from court, as well as claims that she had left Pakistan. These false reports about her immediate release as an influential woman created ambiguity and negative sentiments among the public. Many people, primarily those who rely on social media, believed these stories were true.

One of the most circulated pieces of news was a photo showing her making a victory sign in front of the court and lawyers, suggesting she had been released.

"The spread of fake news undermines trust in state institutions," commented Professor Tauseef Ahmed, an academic and senior journalist. Unfortunately, he added, the majority of people prefer to listen to sensational news. "YouTubers and other social media influencers seek more views and often neglect to verify the news from all angles."

Professor Ahmed also noted that such sensationalism leads people to distrust institutions and even the suspect's family members. "It is all because of a lack of media literacy," he said, emphasizing that news should be objective. To gain fame and viewership, various social media accounts on different platforms have created uncertainty. The general public believes that she will be released soon.

"She is rich. She has money. She has contacts. She will soon leave Pakistan," commented Sana Farhan, a woman discussing the Karsaz traffic accident. She also pointed to a photo of Danish making a victory sign and a video of her smiling at the scene.