LAHORE: Fresh revelations have cast doubt on the government’s claim that police rescued two foreign women in the high-profile Lahore kidnapping, gang rape, and extortion case involving Raza Dar and others.
According to latest media reports and portions of victim statements recorded under Section 164, the official narrative appears inconsistent with the women’s account and photographic evidence.
The government has maintained that police recovered the victims and arrested the accused, but the victims’ testimony suggests otherwise, describing their escape as chaotic and self-driven.
Stroud Gabriela Robinson, a Spanish national, recounted that Raza Dar was driving them towards what he claimed was the airport. However, Stephanie, the second victim, checked her phone location and realized they were not heading to the airport.
Robinson said Dar was in contact with a “boss” during this time, and others shouted at him that instructions were different.
The victims described crying and pleading for Dar to drive faster, but he slowed down until their car collided with another vehicle. At that point, they jumped out and ran. Robinson entered a mechanic’s shop where a traffic warden alerted police.
Yet, even then, suspicions persisted as the women feared they were not being taken to the airport.
Stephanie testified that eventually a police mobile arrived, and a female officer assured them the authorities were aware of the incident. Only after being shown evidence did the women feel secure, and they were taken to the police station where their statements were recorded the following day.
These accounts contradict the government’s position that police directly rescued the women.
Observers note that the victims’ narrative reads like “a script of a movie,” with each line opening a new chapter in the unfolding case.
Earlier, it may be added here, Lahore police had produced Raza Dar and four co-accused before Judicial Magistrate Azhar Mahmood at Cantt Kachary, where their physical remand was granted until July 8. Prosecutors argued that the incident had brought disrepute to the country and required thorough interrogation.
