DIG Operations Lahore Faisal Kamran on Sunday defended the police investigation into the alleged abduction and sexual assault of two foreign women, stating that Lahore Police acted swiftly to rescue the victims, arrest eight suspects, and complete all legal formalities in accordance with the law.
Police Response and Rescue Operation
Addressing a press conference, Kamran said Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had directed authorities to proceed on merit in the case. “The chief minister said the case must be handled on merit and whoever committed the crime will be punished,” Kamran said. He explained that police launched an immediate search-and-rescue operation after receiving an international emergency call on July 1, 2026, through the Punjab Safe Cities Authority’s Universal Access Number (UAN). The caller, identified as the father of one of the victims, reported that the two women had allegedly been kidnapped and that a ransom demand had been made.
According to the DIG, special investigation teams, assisted by the Punjab Safe Cities Authority, used CCTV footage, mobile phone data, and other digital evidence to trace the victims. Police remained in direct contact with one of the women and, using her live location, safely recovered both victims near Bhatta Chowk within hours. Kamran said a case was registered at Defence-C Police Station on the victims’ complaint. With their consent, medico-legal examinations were conducted, and their statements were recorded before a judicial magistrate under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Coordination and Suspects
Kamran added that Lahore Police remained in close coordination with the Embassy of the Netherlands through Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and after legal formalities were completed, both women returned to their home countries. The DIG said eight suspects had been arrested during the investigation. Police have also seized vehicles allegedly used in the incident, the victims’ belongings, mobile phones, documents, and other digital evidence. He said forensic and digital examinations are continuing and the investigation is progressing on merit.
Kamran rejected what he described as misinformation circulating on social media, saying the case was initiated after the victims’ father contacted the Police Helpline 15—not through a foreign embassy. He maintained that the FIR was registered on the written complaint of one of the victims, the medical examination was conducted with her consent, and the statements before the magistrate were recorded freely and without coercion.
Minister-Linked Suspect and Media Confrontation
Kamran also reiterated that police had informed senior leadership after discovering that one suspect, identified as Muhammad Raza Dar, allegedly had links to a senior government minister. According to the DIG, the Punjab government directed investigators to ensure the suspect received no preferential treatment and was treated like any other accused. The press conference later turned confrontational as journalists challenged several aspects of the police’s narrative. Reporters questioned Kamran over repeated police claims that officers had “rescued” the women, arguing that the victims’ father had alerted authorities about the alleged kidnapping through the emergency helpline while communication with the suspects was reportedly still ongoing.
Journalists also disputed the official account of the recovery, asking why police continued to describe it as a rescue operation when, according to their version of events, the women escaped only after the suspects’ vehicle collided with another car near Ghazi Road, prompting local residents to contact the Police Helpline. Further questions centred on reports that a Station House Officer (SHO) visited a judicial magistrate’s residence late at night to obtain approval for the victims’ medical examinations. Journalists asked whether the officer had pressured the magistrate by saying the DIG wished to speak with him and whether Kamran had remained on the phone during the exchange without instructing the officer to leave.
Questions on Anti-Terrorism Charges and DIG's Response
One reporter also questioned why anti-terrorism charges had not been considered if a judicial officer had allegedly been intimidated, noting that similar legal provisions had been invoked in previous cases involving interference with judicial officials. Kamran rejected the criticism, saying he had already addressed the issues during his briefing. He maintained that the first emergency call was received through the Punjab Safe Cities Authority, after which police launched an immediate response. He said the suspects dispersed following the initial police action, eventually leading officers to the victims’ location. The DIG added that investigators possess live location records and other technical evidence supporting the official timeline, arguing that criticism was based on incomplete information and speculation. However, as journalists continued pressing him with further questions, Kamran ended the press conference and left the venue. Several reporters responded by chanting “Shame, Shame” as he departed.
