LAHORE: Lahore Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Operations Faisal Kamran said on Sunday that police were instructed to treat a suspect reportedly linked to a senior government minister in the alleged abduction and sexual assault case involving two foreign women like “any other criminal”.
The case came to light after police on Thursday booked five suspects over the alleged abduction and assault of the women, who were later rescued. Four suspects, including a close relative of a senior political figure, were arrested and remanded into police custody for five days.
Speaking at a press conference, DIG Kamran outlined the sequence of events leading to the women’s recovery and the suspects’ arrests. He said the police’s top priority was ensuring the victims’ safe recovery, prompting raids in Sargodha and several other locations.
During the investigation, police traced the family background of one suspect. After speaking with residents at one of the raided houses, investigators learned that the suspect’s family had previously lived there as tenants and was believed to be related to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. The suspect was identified as Muhammad Raza Dar.
Kamran said police immediately verified the information with the family, obtained the suspect’s contact number and began tracking his location. He added that the suspect’s family had likely advised him to surrender.
The DIG said he informed senior police officials and the government about the suspect’s alleged connection to a high-profile political figure. According to Kamran, the government gave clear instructions that the suspect should receive no special treatment and be dealt with like any other accused. He also noted that the investigation suggested the incident could involve an organised criminal gang rather than a lone suspect.
Kamran said Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also directed authorities to ensure the case was handled on “100 per cent merit” and that those responsible received appropriate punishment.
He said police raids in Sargodha, Shahdara and DHA had attracted public attention. Meanwhile, the suspect allegedly told the women he was taking them to the airport after claiming he had received the ransom. However, when the vehicle headed towards Bhatta Chowk instead, the women became suspicious.
According to the DIG, the car then collided with another vehicle, allowing the women to escape. They ran to a nearby shop for safety while one of them remained in contact with her father through WhatsApp messages and voice calls.
Kamran said the father, identified as Carlos, established a conference call connecting the two women with the Defence assistant superintendent of police (ASP), during which they informed the officer that they had escaped.
As the suspect attempted to flee, police traced his location through the Safe City surveillance system and his mobile phone number before directing him to surrender. The SP Cantt subsequently arrested him and brought him to the police station.
The DIG rejected claims that police had not recovered the women, saying records showed a police emergency call was received at 12:40pm, after which officers established contact with the women’s family in Spain, traced their location and coordinated the rescue.
He said police were now focused on ensuring the investigation remained legally sound and that no loopholes could later benefit the accused. He added that the victims consented to medical examinations with assistance from their respective embassies.
Kamran said the women were initially reluctant to record statements because they were scheduled to leave Pakistan on July 2. Lahore police assured them they would cover the cost of revised airline tickets, allowing investigators to complete legal formalities.
The women eventually departed Pakistan on July 3. According to the DIG, before leaving they praised the conduct of Lahore police and requested a Pakistani flag to take home with them.
Addressing another controversy, Kamran referred to what he described as an “unfortunate” incident involving a station house officer (SHO) who entered the official residence of a magistrate while trying to have the women’s statements recorded 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 of the officers’ actions, saying failure to record the statements in time could have drawn criticism of Pakistan’s legal system from both local media and international forums.
During the press conference, journalists questioned the police over the incident. Kamran explained that a duty magistrate should remain available around the clock, but officers were unable to contact the magistrate. He said the SHO repeatedly rang the doorbell and, after finding the gate unlocked, entered the premises.
Kamran added that the magistrate had recently shifted to another residence, although he was present inside the house when the SHO entered. He acknowledged the magistrate’s concerns, confirmed disciplinary action had been taken against the SHO, but his explanation failed to satisfy journalists, prompting him to leave the press conference.