On Friday, four suspects, including Muhammad Raza Dar, a relative of Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar were produced before Judicial Magistrate Azhar Mehmood at the Cantonment Courts in Lahore.
The suspects, initially masked, were ordered to reveal their faces during the hearing. The public prosecutor requested a 14-day physical remand, citing the victims’ identification of the prime suspect and the reputational damage caused to Pakistan. However, the magistrate granted a five-day physical remand, directing police to present the suspects again on July 8.
The Case and Captivity
According to the FIR, two foreign women, nationals of the Netherlands and Venezuela, were abducted upon arriving in Pakistan on June 29, 2026.
The prime suspect, Raza Dar, had reportedly met one of the victims in Singapore in October 2025 and facilitated their travel visas. Once in Lahore, the women were allegedly kidnapped by five men, stripped of their belongings, and subjected to repeated sexual assault.
The captors demanded a ransom of $1.5 million, threatening to kill the victims and harvest their organs if payment was not made.
The Rescue Operation
The ordeal came to light when one victim contacted her family in Europe, prompting her father to alert Pakistan’s emergency helpline. Acting on directives from Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Lahore Police launched a swift operation.
Using surveillance footage from the Punjab Safe City Authority, officers tracked the suspects’ movements and raided a DHA property. Within two hours, both women were rescued safely, and four suspects were arrested.
Raza Dar’s Involvement and Political Links
The case has drawn heightened attention due to the involvement of Muhammad Raza Dar, identified as the grandson of Deputy PM Ishaq Dar. While police have refrained from commenting on his political ties, media reports have amplified the controversy, sparking public outrage.
The suspects face charges under Sections 365-A (kidnapping for ransom) and 375-A (gang rape) of the Pakistan Penal Code.
