Karachi:Natasha Danish, a woman from a wealthy and influential business family who recently sparked outrage for showing no remorse on camera after running over two people with her SUV, has escaped punishment as relatives and families of the victims have forgiven her, according to local reports. Natasha was seen smiling and looking unrepentant after killing two people with her car on August 19.
Natasha is married to Danish Iqbal, an influential businessman from Pakistan who is the chairman of Gul Ahmed Energy Limited and its affiliated companies as well as Metro Power Group. On August 19, she was speeding in her Toyota Land Cruiser and attempted to make a turn, when it collided with three motorcycles and another car before overturning on Karsaz Road, Karachi.
Imran Arif, 60, and his daughter Amna, 22, died in the accident, while three others were injured and taken to hospital, Dawn reported. Imran was selling newspapers in shops while his daughter worked in a private company. Natasha and her husband were arrested and charged with manslaughter following the accident.
‘You don’t know my father’
Natasha was caught on camera smiling after the incident and showing no signs of remorse. At one point, she even boasted about her family’s influence, saying, “Tum mere baap ko nahi jaante (You don’t know my father).” Eyewitnesses said Natasha appeared drunk at the time of the accident and tried to flee the scene but was caught by passersby.
On August 28, Sindh Inspector General of Police Ghulam Nabi Memon reported that Natasha was driving under the influence of the narcotic methamphetamine (crystal). The courts granted her bail in the accident case but kept her in custody in the narcotics case. Her lawyer said her mental condition was “not stable” and she was undergoing treatment.
Victims’ families forgive defendants “in the name of Allah”
Following the hearing held at the Sessions Court on Friday, lawyer Uzair Ghouri, who represents the victims’ families, told the media outside the court that they had pardoned the driver “in the name of Allah.” The victims’ families submitted an affidavit to the court in which they forgave the accused.
“[They have forgiven the suspect] “Outside the court in the name of Allah,” according to the affidavit that has been filed,” Dawn quoted defence lawyer Amir Mansoob Qureshi as saying. “They (the family) are saying that they have forgiven because those who forgive have the highest stature.”
The agreement between the affected families and the accused was presented to the investigating court where the case is being heard, after which the accused were granted bail. Shortly afterwards, social media exploded with accusations that the family had accepted blood money, although lawyers for both sides denied the allegations.
In Pakistan, under Sharia laws, Qisas and Diyat, the victim’s family or heirs can pardon an accused even if he or she has caused deaths. “The families of the victims have forgiven the accused in the name of Allah and there is no rumour that they have accepted blood money (Diyat, according to Islamic Sharia laws) to pardon her for the deaths,” Qureshi said.
(with contributions from the agency)
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