LAHORE: Police in Lahore have registered a case against five suspects, including Muhammad Raza Dar, over the alleged abduction, extortion and sexual assault of two foreign women in the city’s Defence area.
According to the First Information Report (FIR), the victims one from the Netherlands and the other from Venezuela—travelled to Pakistan after being invited by Muhammad Raza Dar, with whom they had reportedly entered into a business partnership in Singapore in October 2025.
The FIR states that the women arrived in Lahore on June 29, 2026, after their visas were arranged by the suspect. Upon arrival, they were allegedly taken to a house in the Y-Block area of Defence, where they were held against their will at gunpoint.
Police said the suspects allegedly subjected the victims to physical violence, threatened them with weapons, and demanded a ransom of $1.5 million. The FIR further alleges that the women were threatened with death and other acts of violence if the ransom was not paid.
The incident came to light after one of the victims contacted her father in the Netherlands, who immediately informed Lahore Police through the emergency helpline. Acting on the complaint, police launched a rescue operation, recovered both women within hours, and arrested the main suspect along with his alleged accomplices.
A senior police official said the investigation is being conducted strictly in accordance with the law, stressing that there has been no political influence in the case. The official added that authorities acted swiftly to rescue the victims and complete the initial legal proceedings.
Police also facilitated the victims in recording their statements before a magistrate. Although the women had already booked return flights, investigators requested them to remain in Pakistan for an additional day to assist with the inquiry, with the related expenses covered by the police to support the ongoing investigation.
