The opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has demanded the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, citing his family’s alleged involvement in a case involving the suspected abduction and sexual assault of two foreign national women in Lahore.
PTI's Allegations Against Dar Family
PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram alleged that the Dar family is linked to what he described as “a transnational crypto network that has suspectedly morphed from white collar financial crimes into violent organized crime, culminating in the horrific abduction, extortion, and gang rape of two foreign women.” The statement came after the arrest of Muhammad Raza Dar, whom Akram accused of being part of a syndicate that lures foreigners into Pakistan for criminal activities.
According to Akram, Raza Dar allegedly met the victims, from the Netherlands and Venezuela, in Singapore in October 2025 under the pretext of a cryptocurrency project. He reportedly used state resources to arrange their business visas. Upon their arrival in Lahore on June 29, Raza orchestrated their abduction to a DHA safe house, where they were held at gunpoint, forced to surrender crypto assets, threatened with organ harvesting, and subjected to sexual assault.
Demand for Independent Investigation
Akram demanded an immediate, fully independent, and transparent investigation by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). He called for a comprehensive forensic audit of all crypto wallets, transactions, international links, IP addresses, and financial trails connected to both Raza Dar and Ali Dar. He stressed that no political interference or protection of the powerful would be tolerated.
“PTI demands an immediate, fully independent, transparent, and uncompromising investigation by the Federal Investigation Agency, including a comprehensive forensic audit of all crypto wallets, transactions, international links, IP addresses, and financial trails connected to both Raza Dar and Ali Dar,” Akram said.
Criticism of Elite Impunity
Akram criticized Deputy PM Ishaq Dar for burdening ordinary Pakistanis with harsh taxes while his family allegedly exploited state systems for illicit crypto rackets and violence. He described this as a contrast that exposes the elite impunity rotting Pakistan from within. He also highlighted the diplomatic fallout with the Netherlands and Venezuela, which damages Pakistan’s global standing, noting that local authorities only acted under intense international pressure.
“The diplomatic fallout with the Netherlands and Venezuela further damages our global standing, all because local authorities only acted under intense international pressure,” he said.
Call for Resignation and Justice
To safeguard the integrity of the probe and restore public trust, PTI renewed its call for Ishaq Dar to tender his immediate resignation as Deputy PM and Foreign Minister. Akram emphasized that Pakistan’s dignity, the rule of law, and justice for the victims must prevail over all political interests. Those guilty must face the harshest punishment, and the innocent must be cleared. PTI stands shoulder to shoulder with the victims and the people of Pakistan against “this culture of elite criminality,” he added.
