Punjab police reject social media claims in foreign women case, reiterate victims were rescued in operation

Punjab police on Sunday rejected social media claims surrounding the alleged abduction and rape of two foreign women, insisting that the victims were rescued through a coordinated police operation and that the investigation is being conducted strictly on merit, regardless of the suspects' political connections, 24NewsHD TV reported. 

Addressing a press conference, Lahore DIG Operations Faisal Kamran said the victims had themselves confirmed in their statements that Punjab Police rescued them.

He dismissed online claims that the women had escaped on their own, saying such reports were false and contradicted the victims' recorded statements.

The DIG said the two women arrived in Islamabad on June 26 before travelling to Lahore on June 29.

Around midnight on July 1, the Safe City Authority received a call from a man identified as Carlos, who reported that his daughter had been abducted in Pakistan and that the family had received a ransom demand.

Police immediately launched an investigation by tracing phone numbers, the suspects' vehicle registration, travel records and Safe City surveillance footage.

Raids were carried out in Lahore, including Shahdara and Defence, as well as in Sargodha and other locations.

Faisal Kamran said investigators identified the main suspect, Muhammad Raza Dar, after tracing the vehicle's location and following leads about his family.

During the investigation, police discovered that the suspect's family had previously lived at a rented house and that he was allegedly related to a senior government minister.

The information was verified before police continued the operation.

He said senior police command and the Punjab government were informed about the suspect's alleged political connections.

However, the government directed police to ensure that no suspect received preferential treatment.

"The instructions were clear that the accused must be treated like any other criminal," the DIG said.

Faisal Kamran revealed that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz personally called him and ordered that the case be investigated purely on merit, stressing that anyone found guilty should be punished according to the law.

The DIG also rejected allegations that the suspect received special treatment because of his alleged political links, saying all arrested suspects were handcuffed, produced before a court and remanded into police custody in accordance with legal procedures.

He said the case is being investigated by Lahore Police rather than the Crime Control Department (CCD) because it falls under the jurisdiction of the Punjab Police's specialised Rape Cell, which is handling the investigation.

According to Faisal Kamran, police believe the crime may involve a gang rather than a single individual, and investigations are continuing to determine the role of all those involved.

He said the two women were rescued near Bhatta Chowk when the suspect was allegedly taking them to the airport. During the journey, the women reportedly resisted, leading to a struggle inside the vehicle. The car then crashed, allowing the victims to jump out and seek refuge at a nearby filtration plant, where police safely recovered them.

The DIG said police contacted the embassies of Spain and the Netherlands after the rescue.

Spanish authorities informed investigators that one of the victims was a Venezuelan national.

Embassy officials initially requested that the women be allowed to leave Pakistan as soon as possible, but police sought an additional day to complete their medical examinations and record their statements.

After completing medical examinations and recording statements before a magistrate under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code, the two foreign women were allowed to leave Pakistan.

The DIG said police are continuing to investigate every aspect of the case and are working to identify all those involved.