A Lahore court on Thursday handed over four suspects to police on a five-day physical remand in connection with the alleged abduction and rape of two foreign women in the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) area. The suspects, identified as Raza Dar, Hassan Raza, Sikandar Khan and Sajid Ali, were produced before the court after their arrest in the high-profile case.
Police Seek Custody for Evidence Recovery
During the hearing, police sought the suspects' physical custody, arguing that weapons allegedly used in the crime and other evidence, including the alleged proceeds of the offence, were yet to be recovered. Investigators told the court that further interrogation was necessary to complete the probe.
Police informed the court that Raza Dar had been nominated in the first information report (FIR), while the other three suspects were implicated through supplementary statements recorded during the investigation.
Court Orders Progress Report
Accepting the request, the court granted a five-day physical remand and directed investigators to complete the inquiry and submit a progress report. The accused have been ordered to be produced before the court again on July 8.
Cryptocurrency Dispute Under Investigation
According to sources familiar with the investigation, authorities are also examining a financial dispute involving cryptocurrency as a possible motive behind the case. Investigators claim the prime suspect, Raza Dar, was expecting to receive approximately $1.5 million from the two foreign women, an amount estimated at around Rs450 million.
Police are further investigating allegations that Raza Dar, who is reported to be a relative of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, lured the women to Pakistan under false pretences before allegedly orchestrating a fake kidnapping. Investigators suspect he may have included himself among the purported abductees to make the incident appear genuine.
Ongoing Inquiry
Authorities have emphasised that the investigation remains ongoing. They said all claims regarding the alleged cryptocurrency dispute and the suspected staged kidnapping are still being examined, and no final conclusions have been reached. The allegations remain subject to the outcome of the investigation.
