Arrest of Deputy PM's Relative in Lahore Gangrape Case
Police in Lahore arrested four suspects, including a relative of Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, in connection with the alleged gangrape of two foreign women. The prime suspect, Muhammad Raza Dar, is a close relative of the senior politician, according to a police officer.
The suspects—Muhammad Raza Dar, Hassan Raza, Sikandar Khan, and Sajid Ali—were produced before a Lahore court on Friday and sent to five-day police remand. The fifth accused remains at large, with raids underway to apprehend him.
Victims' Nationalities and Rescue
The victims, one from the Netherlands and the other from Venezuela, were allegedly abducted and gangraped by five men in Lahore on June 29. Police rescued the women after receiving a call from Spain from one of the victims' fathers.
A case was registered under sections 365A (kidnapping) and 375A (gang rape) of the Pakistan Penal Code. The police officer stated, "Since it is a very sensitive matter, as a close relative of Deputy PM Ishaq Dar is involved in this high-profile case, police are investigating it from all aspects."
Connection to Cryptocurrency Venture
The women told police they met Raza Dar in Singapore in October 2025, and he invited them to visit Pakistan. A second police official revealed that the women and Raza Dar were partners in a cryptocurrency venture. Raza Dar arranged business visas for their Pakistan visit, and they arrived in Lahore on June 29.
Upon arrival, according to one of the women, Raza Dar and the other suspects abducted them, took them to a house, allegedly gangraped them, and demanded ransom for their release. A court official confirmed that Raza Dar was identified by the women as the "prime suspect" when all four accused were produced before a magistrate.
Police Investigation and Legal Proceedings
Lahore police registered the case on Thursday and arrested four suspects. The fifth accused is absconding, and police are conducting raids to arrest him. The court granted five-day police remand for the four arrested suspects to facilitate further investigation.
