A case involving allegations of rape and assault against foreign women in Lahore has taken a political turn after Senator Faisal Vawda claimed that the principal suspect, Raza Dar, has close family ties to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. Based on this claim, Vawda called for Ishaq Dar’s immediate resignation.
In a statement posted on the social media platform X, Vawda alleged that Pakistan was being run like a “family corporation”. He claimed that Raza Dar is facing serious allegations of inviting foreign women to Pakistan before subjecting them to alleged rape, physical assault and extortion.
Vawda further alleged that the suspect was arrested only after intervention by a foreign embassy and claimed that the government was attempting to suppress the case. According to him, efforts were being made to treat the matter solely as an extortion case rather than one involving rape, while preparations were also under way to send the foreign complainants back to their home country.
He also claimed that the statements of the alleged victims, recorded under Section 164 of Pakistan’s Code of Criminal Procedure, have not yet been made public. Vawda further expressed concern that, as in previous cases, there was a risk of favourable medical reports being obtained.
The senator said that, if the government wished to safeguard Pakistan’s reputation and international standing, Ishaq Dar should resign from office immediately. He also criticised both the government and the opposition, stating that no major political party had issued a statement condemning the alleged incident.
At the time of reporting, neither Ishaq Dar nor the government had issued an official response to Vawda’s allegations or to his claim regarding the suspect’s alleged relationship with the Deputy Prime Minister.
