KARACHI: A central leader of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan and three others were injured in an accident on M-9, formerly called the Superhighway, in the small hours of Sunday, officials said.

They said that MPA Khwaja Izharul Hasan was returning to the city after meeting Prime Minister Imran Khan in Ghotki on Saturday when he met with the accident near the Bahria Town Cut at around 4am.

He with other injured was taken to the Aga Khan University Hospital for treatment.

An official of the Motorway police, who wished not to be named, told Dawn that the speed limit on the Motorway was 120 kilometres per hour but it may be advisable for drivers to slow down their vehicles at the Bahria Town diversion.

He said it appeared that Khwaja Izhar’s driver did not slow down the vehicle which eventually went out of his control, hit the gravel lying there for some construction work and stopped.

He said that two more vehicles were behind Khwaja Izhar’s vehicle, but it was not correct that the accident occurred when a police mobile van escorting him hit it from behind.

However, Memon Goth SHO Jan Mohammed said that a bridge was being constructed at the Bahria Town Cut, where an underground diversion had been given for traffic.

Apparently, the driver did not realise that there was a diversion. Also, the police vehicle coming from behind also hit Khwaja Izhar’s vehicle when it stopped after the accident. This caused injuries to two police guards and a private guard, he added.

They were identified as Mohammed Sultan, Saddam and Shafiq Shaikh. The condition of Saddam was stated to be serious.

Speaking to the media, MQM-P leader Faisal Subzwari said that Khwaja Izhar suffered injuries in the head and back but his condition was out of danger.

He said that the head injury was reportedly deep and after conducting a CT scan doctors opined that he did not suffer a brain injury.

Quoting doctors, he said that one of his discs was affected but it would get better with the passage of time.

Governor, CM meet injured politician

Sindh Governor Imran Ismail and Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah separately visited the hospital and inquired after the health of Khwaja Izhar.

The chief minister, who was accompanied by some provincial ministers, stayed with the MQM-P lawmaker for some time. The CM also met his doctors and talked with them about his medical treatment and surgery.

Mr Shah also visited a police guard being treated at the same hospital. He presented him a bouquet and assured him of providing best treatment, said a spokesperson for the CM.

Disgruntled MQM-P leader Dr Farooq Sattar also reached the hospital to inquire after Khwaja Izhar’s health.

In a statement issued on Sunday, MQM-P convener Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui appealed to the people to pray for an early recovery of Khwaja Izhar and his guards.

Also, senior leaders of the Pak Sarzameen Party Anis Advocate, Waseem Aftab and others met the MQM-P politician and inquired after his health.

Published in Dawn, April 1st, 2019