A speeding car ran over participants of a ‘Save Gaza’ protest sit-in on Jinnah Avenue early Monday morning, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and injuries to four others, including a police inspector.
The incident occurred around 2:45 AM in the Red Zone area between Express Chowk and the old Parade Ground. At the time, protesters were asleep on the road, and the streetlights in the area were turned off, according to police reports.
“A speeding car suddenly appeared, ran over five protesters, and then collided with a police barricade, injuring Inspector Ijaz Ahmed,” stated a police spokesperson. The driver of the vehicle then fled towards Ayub Chowk via Attaturk Avenue.
Police on special duty for the protest promptly alerted the control room, leading to a patrolling team intercepting and apprehending the driver. He was taken into custody and transported to the police station.
A case has been registered at Kohsar police station under sections 322 (causing death without intention), 337-G (punishment for hurt by rash or negligent driving), 427 (mischief causing damage), and 279 (rash driving or riding on a public way) of the Pakistan Penal Code. The driver is currently under investigation but has not yet been produced in court for his remand.
The deceased were identified as Mohammad Roman Sajid and an unidentified man estimated to be between 40 and 45 years old. The injured include Mohammad Talha Ilyas, Hamad Hassan, Faisal Hayat, and Inspector Ijaz Ahmed.
The protest, organised by former Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, has been ongoing for about a week, drawing members of civil society to the cause. “Participants have been maintaining a round-the-clock presence at the site, with over two dozen protesters asleep when the accident occurred,” explained the police spokesperson.
The cause of the accident has been attributed to speeding, though further investigations are ongoing. The driver remains in police custody as authorities seek to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
