Lahore police rescue two abducted foreign women, arrest four suspects including deputy PM's relative

The four accused have been arrested and a case has been registered against them for demanding ransom of $1.5 million and sexual assault.

Police said the main suspect, Raza Dar, who they said was a close relative of Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, had been in business with the two women in Singapore.

The women were invited to Pakistan after being told they would discuss new investment opportunities, investigators said. The suspect had brought them to Lahore on the pretext of expanding their joint business and had arranged their visas, police said.

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The women were abducted and sexually assaulted by Raza Dar and his alleged accomplices soon after they landed, the FIR said.

Police also said the suspect was demanding the return of money he said he had invested in the business.

During the captivity one of the women succeeded to reach her father in the Netherlands for help. He then called Pakistani officials through the emergency helpline, prompting a quick response from the police.

Lahore Police launched an immediate operation to rescue both women within two hours on the orders of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

The suspects were traced to a location in the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) through the Safe City surveillance cameras where the raid was conducted, according to authorities.

Police have registered a case against the suspects and are gathering forensic evidence and following up on further leads. Officials said investigations are ongoing and more arrests could be made.

The two women were medically examined after their rescue and subsequently produced before a Cantt Judicial Magistrate, where their statements were recorded on a formal basis in connection with the ongoing investigation.