Lahore, July 5,2026: Lahore Deputy Inspector General (Operations) Faisal Kamran said on Sunday that police had been directed to treat a suspect allegedly linked to a senior government minister like “any other criminal” in the case involving the alleged abduction and sexual assault of two foreign women.
Addressing a press conference, DIG Kamran said the suspect, identified as Muhammad Raza Dar, was found to have links to the family of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, but stressed that the government had issued “strict orders” that he should receive no special treatment.
“Once this was flagged, we had to verify the information, and we confirmed it from the family,” Kamran said, adding that police obtained the suspect’s contact details and began tracing his location immediately.
The case emerged on Thursday when police registered a case against five suspects over the alleged abduction and sexual assault of two foreign women after they were rescued. Four suspects, including a close relative of a senior political figure, were arrested and later handed over on a five-day physical remand.
Kamran said police initially prioritised the safe recovery of the women and conducted raids in Sargodha and several other locations. During the investigation, officers developed information linking one of the suspects to a politically influential family.
He said the matter was promptly shared with the senior police command and the government, after which authorities were instructed to proceed strictly on merit. Kamran added that the investigation had also indicated the possible involvement of a wider criminal gang rather than a lone suspect.
The DIG said Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had also directed police to ensure “100 per cent merit” in pursuing the case and securing punishment for those responsible.
Recounting the events leading to the women’s recovery, Kamran said the suspect later told the victims he was taking them to the airport after allegedly receiving ransom money. However, when the vehicle headed towards Bhatta Chowk instead, the women became suspicious.
He said the car then collided with another vehicle, giving the women an opportunity to escape and run to a nearby shop. At the same time, one of the women was in contact with her father through WhatsApp voice messages, while he remained in touch with the Defence assistant superintendent of police.
“The father, Carlos, connected the two women with ASP Defence on a conference call, and they informed the officer that they had escaped,” Kamran said.
Police then traced the suspect through a Safe City alert and his mobile number and ordered him to surrender. “SP Cantt went to arrest him and brought him to the police station,” the DIG said.
Kamran rejected allegations that police had not played a role in recovering the women, saying the department had received a 15 emergency call at 12:40am, after which action was initiated, contact was established with the complainant from Spain, and the women’s location was tracked.
He said police were also careful to avoid legal loopholes in the case and obtained the consent of the victims for medical examinations with the assistance of their respective embassies.
According to Kamran, the women were initially reluctant to record their statements because they were scheduled to leave Pakistan on July 2, but Lahore police assured them they would cover the cost of revised travel tickets. The two women later departed on July 3.
He claimed that before leaving, both women praised Lahore police for their conduct and even requested a Pakistani flag to take back with them.
Kamran also addressed an “unfortunate” incident involving a station house officer who forcibly entered the residence of a magistrate in an attempt to secure the women’s statements under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure before their departure.
The DIG apologised to the judiciary over the incident, but defended the urgency behind the move, saying police feared criticism at home and abroad if the legal process remained incomplete.
He said police had been unable to contact the duty magistrate despite repeated attempts, and the SHO entered the premises after finding the gate unlocked. Kamran added that the magistrate had recently shifted residences, though he was present inside the house when the SHO entered.
“His concerns are valid, and action has been taken against the SHO as well,” Kamran said.
The explanation, however, drew a strong reaction from journalists at the press conference, and the uproar continued until the DIG walked away from the briefing.
