Muhammad Raza Dar

A court in Pakistan has formally indicted eight suspects, including the grandson of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, in a case involving the alleged kidnapping and gang rape of two foreign women in Lahore. All eight accused have pleaded not guilty, and the case is moving towards the formal trial stage.

The charges were framed by Additional District and Sessions Judge Rafaqat Ali Gondal during proceedings on Tuesday, November 10. The suspects, who are currently in judicial custody, were produced before the court for the indictment hearing.

The court has directed the prosecution to present its witnesses on December 9. Their testimony is expected to form an important part of the proceedings as the court examines the allegations and evidence against the accused.

The involvement of Ishaq Dar’s grandson, identified as Muhammad Raza Dar, has brought considerable public attention to the case because of his family connection to one of Pakistan’s most senior government officials.

Allegations involving two foreign women

The case concerns two women, one from the Netherlands and the other from Venezuela, who travelled to Pakistan in June 2026 for business-related discussions.

According to details contained in the police investigation, the women had met Raza Dar in Singapore in 2025. They reportedly discussed investment opportunities connected to a cryptocurrency business.

The police account stated that Raza Dar initially invested money and received returns. He subsequently invested more than $500,000, according to the report. A financial dispute allegedly developed when the expected returns were not received and the invested amount was not returned.

Investigators alleged that the women were later invited to Pakistan on the pretext of arranging a meeting with another investor.

After arriving in the country, they stayed at a hotel in Islamabad and also travelled to the Murree hill station. The initial part of their visit was reportedly voluntary.

However, the allegations describe a different situation after they reached Lahore. The women were allegedly taken to a house in the Defence Housing Authority area, where they were held against their will and pressured to transfer money.

Alleged confinement and financial pressure

According to the police account, the women were threatened by armed men and forced to transfer $19,500.

Investigators alleged that the people guarding them used weapons and other objects to intimidate them. The women were reportedly warned of serious consequences if they failed to meet the financial demands.

The women eventually managed to escape while they were being transported towards Lahore airport. Their escape reportedly became possible after the vehicle carrying them was involved in an accident.

The allegations also included sexual assault. Medical examinations reportedly supported the claim that the women had been raped. After recording their statements with investigators and completing the necessary formalities, both women returned to their respective countries.

The case has therefore involved allegations of kidnapping, unlawful confinement, extortion and sexual violence, in addition to the financial dispute that investigators say preceded the incident.

Why the police investigation became controversial

One of the most significant aspects of the case is the difference between the earlier police investigation and the latest court proceedings.

In an earlier report submitted to the court, Punjab Police had given Raza Dar and four of his associates a clean chit in relation to the rape allegations. The investigation report instead identified three employees of Raza Dar as the people allegedly responsible for the sexual assault.

The police report stated that there was insufficient evidence to establish rape charges against Raza Dar and the four other individuals. However, it did not mean that all allegations against them had disappeared. The five were still linked to other alleged offences, including unlawful detention and extortion.

The police also reported recovering money and other material that investigators considered relevant to the case.

The latest indictment has moved the matter into another important legal stage. The court has now framed charges against all eight suspects, including Raza Dar, and they have denied the allegations.

The difference between the police report and the court proceedings is likely to remain an important issue during the trial. The prosecution will have to present evidence and witnesses to establish its case, while the defence will have the opportunity to challenge the allegations.

What happens next in court?

The next major date in the proceedings is December 9, when the prosecution has been directed to present witnesses.

Witness testimony, medical records, statements from the complainants and other material collected during the investigation could become important in determining the case.

The court will have to assess the evidence independently rather than relying solely on the conclusions of the earlier police investigation. The accused will also have the right to defend themselves through legal representation and challenge evidence presented against them.

The fact that the suspects have been indicted does not mean they have been convicted. Their guilt or innocence will be determined through the judicial process.

Political attention surrounding the case

The case has attracted attention because one of the accused is related to Ishaq Dar, who holds the positions of Pakistan's deputy prime minister and foreign minister.

The family connection has increased public interest in whether the investigation and trial will proceed without political influence. It has also placed greater attention on the handling of serious criminal allegations involving individuals connected to powerful political families.

However, the legal responsibility of each accused person must be assessed separately. A relative's government position does not establish guilt, just as political influence should not prevent allegations from being investigated fairly.

For Pakistan's justice system, the case will be closely watched because it involves foreign complainants, allegations of sexual violence and a disputed police investigation.

The next stage will depend on the evidence presented before the court from December 9. Until a final judgment is delivered, all eight accused remain legally presumed innocent.