Lahore police defend probe into foreign women assault case, vow equal treatment for all suspects

Lahore Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Operations Faisal Kamran said Sunday that police investigating the alleged abduction, ransom and sexual assault of two foreign women had been directed to treat every suspect, including one reportedly linked to a senior government minister, like "any other criminal."

What happened in the Lahore foreign women assault case?

Two foreign women were allegedly abducted in Lahore, held for ransom and sexually assaulted, prompting a police rescue operation and a criminal investigation. Officers rescued both women within hours using surveillance technology and digital evidence, then arrested eight suspects as the case developed into a wider legal and political controversy.

Addressing a news conference, Kamran said Lahore police rescued the two women within hours of receiving the complaint by using surveillance technology, intelligence based operations and digital evidence. He said the case began on July 1 when the father of one of the women called the Police Helpline 15 from abroad through the Punjab Safe Cities Authority's Universal Access Number, reporting the alleged abduction and a ransom demand.

How did police rescue the two women in Lahore?

Police immediately formed special teams and, with help from the Punjab Safe Cities Authority, launched a search and rescue operation using CCTV footage, mobile phone data and other technical evidence. Officers stayed in direct contact with one of the women and traced their live location before rescuing both near Bhatta Chowk. A criminal case was registered at the Defense C police station at the victims' request, and police conducted medico-legal examinations and recorded their statements before a judicial magistrate under Section 164 of Pakistan's Code of Criminal Procedure, with their consent.

Kamran said authorities stayed in contact with the Embassy of the Netherlands through Pakistan's Foreign Ministry throughout the investigation, and the women returned home after legal formalities were completed. He said eight suspects have been arrested so far, and police have seized vehicles allegedly used in the incident along with the victims' belongings, phones, documents and other digital evidence. Forensic and digital analysis is ongoing, he said, and investigators are continuing the probe on merit.

What did police say about cover-up claims in the case?

Rejecting speculation surrounding the case, Kamran said the investigation began after the victim's father contacted police, not the Dutch embassy as some social media accounts reported. He said the first information report was filed on the written complaint of one of the women, and that medical examinations and court statements were conducted with their consent and in line with the law. Kamran said the victims praised Lahore police for their prompt response, professional conduct and legal assistance, and asked for Pakistani flags as a gesture of appreciation before leaving the country, which police presented to them.

Why did a police officer enter a judicial magistrate's residence?

Kamran also addressed an incident in which a station house officer entered the official residence of a judicial magistrate while attempting to record the women's statements before their scheduled departure from Pakistan on July 2. Calling it "unfortunate," he apologized to the judiciary but defended the urgency of the move, saying a failure to record the statements before the women left the country could have raised questions about Pakistan's legal system internationally.

He said police could not reach the duty magistrate despite repeated attempts, so the officer rang the doorbell several times and entered after finding the gate unlocked. Kamran said the magistrate had recently moved to a new residence but was present inside at the time. "The magistrate had valid concerns, and we have taken action against the SHO as well," Kamran said. His explanation drew criticism from journalists at the news conference, and he left the briefing shortly after.

What is the political dispute over the Lahore assault case?

The case has also triggered a political dispute. Opposition party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf condemned what it called the "horrific" abduction, extortion and sexual assault of the two women, alleging that a grandson of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar was implicated. The party demanded action against all suspects and called for Dar's immediate resignation.

On Thursday, police charged five suspects over the alleged abduction and sexual assault after rescuing the women. Four suspects, including a close relative of a senior political figure, were arrested and later remanded in police custody for five days.