Islamabad, Pakistan – In a significant legal development, Pakistani police announced on Sunday the arrest of eight suspects in the alleged kidnapping and sexual assault of two foreign women in Lahore. Deputy Inspector General of Operations, Kamran Faisal, confirmed the involvement of relatives of a senior government minister in the case. He vowed to continue the investigation “without fear or favor.”
Details of the raid and the arrest of the “big boss”
Faisal explained at a press conference that the investigation revealed an organized criminal gang behind the crime. He indicated that the police had received strict government orders to treat the official’s relatives like any ordinary criminal. Security forces also succeeded in arresting the suspects, including a notorious thug whom the victims described as the “big boss.” He had been directing operations from behind the scenes.
During the raid on his hideout in the DHA area, the main suspect jumped from the second floor in an attempt to escape, sustaining fractures. However, he later confessed to his pivotal role in managing a private security team to carry out the kidnapping and ransom demand.
The “cryptocurrency” trap
Investigations indicate that the case began with a failed cryptocurrency deal. The suspect met one of the victims in Singapore in 2025, and they formed a business relationship during which he invested significant sums of money. However, a dispute arose after the loss of approximately $500,000 in investment returns. According to police, the suspect lured the victim and her partner to Pakistan last June under the pretext of finalizing a new business deal. He then held them against their will.
A judicial apology and securing the departure of the victims
As part of the proceedings, the Deputy Inspector General of Police apologized to the judiciary for the incident in which an officer stormed a police station and a judge’s residence to record the victims’ statements, citing the international sensitivity of the situation. The police also confirmed that they covered the costs of rescheduling the women’s return flights, which departed Pakistan on July 3rd. Furthermore, the police emphasized that the “next test” is ensuring that the perpetrators do not escape punishment due to legal loopholes. This case has placed Pakistan’s legal system under intense scrutiny, particularly given the involvement of figures with ties to power. Public anticipation remains high for the trial’s outcome, which will determine the state’s commitment to applying the law equally to all.
