New FIR Adds Fresh Turn To Lahore Foreign Women Case
LAHORE: A new first information report has been registered in Lahore after a vehicle crash became a key point in the investigation into the alleged kidnapping, extortion and sexual assault of two foreign women, police said on Monday.
The case has drawn wide public attention because it involves two foreign nationals, reported to be from Spain and the Netherlands, and several suspects, including Muhammad Raza Dar. Investigators say the crash near Bhatta Chowk helped bring the women to safety after they managed to get out of the suspects’ vehicle.
According to police, the latest FIR is separate from the main case involving the alleged abduction and assault. It was filed after the owner of a damaged vehicle came forward and formally complained that his car had been hit on Airport Road by another vehicle that then left the scene.
The complainant, identified as Usman, told police he was travelling from a private housing society toward Bhatta Chowk when the other vehicle struck his car. He said he repeatedly contacted emergency helpline 15 before officers arrived, while the FIR estimates the damage to his vehicle at around Rs300,000.
Investigators said the emergency call helped police reach the area where the two women had sought refuge after leaving the suspect’s vehicle. Officials said the women ran into a nearby shop following the collision and remained there until police teams arrived and took control of the situation.
Lahore Deputy Inspector General Operations Faisal Kamran earlier said the two foreign women had arrived in Lahore on June 29 and were allegedly kidnapped soon afterward. He said Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had directed authorities to handle the matter strictly on merit and ensure that anyone responsible faced legal consequences.
Police have said the investigation relied on Safe City camera footage, mobile phone records and vehicle data. Officials earlier stated that suspects were tracked through the movement of the vehicle and location information, while raids were conducted in different areas before arrests were made.
The case has also become politically sensitive because one of the suspects has been linked by reports to a prominent political family. Authorities have insisted that the investigation will proceed according to law and that the status or background of any suspect will not affect the handling of the case.
The latest FIR adds another legal layer to an already high-profile investigation. While the main case will focus on the serious allegations involving the foreign women, the new complaint may help investigators reconstruct the route, timing and circumstances of the crash that led to their rescue.
For Pakistan, the matter carries implications beyond routine policing because it involves foreign citizens, public confidence in law enforcement and the country’s image as a safe destination for visitors. The next stage will depend on forensic review, police challans, court proceedings and whether investigators can establish a complete timeline of events.