Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs, Rana Sanaullah, dismissed calls for Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar’s resignation as entirely unfounded on Sunday. He accused certain parties of attempting to associate Dar with the high-profile foreign women assault case.
Speaking on a current affairs programme, Sanaullah emphasized that Senator Faisal Vawda’s demand for Dar’s resignation lacked any basis. The case gained public attention after an FIR was filed at Lahore’s Defence C Police Station against five suspects, including Muhammad Raza Dar, who is identified as the grandson of a prominent political figure. The allegations involve the kidnapping, extortion, and sexual assault of two foreign nationals, one Spanish and one Dutch.
Commenting on the incident, Sanaullah stated that the situation was being excessively magnified and that efforts were underway to transform what he described as a “non-issue into an issue.” He added that attempts were being made to implicate Ishaq Dar unjustly. Sanaullah remarked, “Each individual must be accountable for their own actions and statements, but a malicious agenda is pushing this matter for ulterior motives.”
He further explained that statements of the foreign women had been recorded under Section 164 of the law, providing the investigation team with comprehensive evidence. He asserted that no additional proof was necessary for filing the challan and moving forward with the trial. Sanaullah also mentioned that the foreign nationals could be summoned back to Pakistan if their presence was deemed essential.
Earlier the same day, Lahore Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Operations Faisal Kamran announced that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had instructed authorities to handle the case strictly on its merits. Kamran affirmed, “The case must be examined impartially, and those responsible will face justice.”
During a press briefing in Lahore, DIG Kamran detailed that the two foreign women arrived in Lahore on June 29 and were allegedly kidnapped shortly thereafter. The police investigation involved tracing the vehicle used in the incident through Safe City surveillance cameras, tracking its journey along the motorway to Sargodha. Subsequent raids were conducted in Shahdara and Defence areas.
Kamran revealed that the first ransom call was received on July 1 from an individual named Carlos, who informed the police that Spanish authorities had been alerted. The Safe City Authority also received an emergency call on the same day. Four suspects were apprehended on July 2 after phone records, vehicle details, and location data were analyzed.
an official, suspect Raza Dar transported the women to the airport, where a confrontation near Bhatta Chowk resulted in the vehicle crashing. The women escaped and sought refuge in a filter house, from which police rescued them. DIG Kamran refuted claims that the women arrived at the police station independently, affirming that their statements confirm Punjab Police’s rescue efforts.
The women’s testimonies were recorded in magistrate presence, ensuring legal validity, and after medical examinations and procedural formalities, they were permitted to leave Pakistan. The embassy had requested their expedited departure, but police requested an additional day to complete their statements.
Kamran also disclosed that once it was discovered that a relative of a senior political figure was involved, top officials were promptly informed, and the family was contacted to verify the information before proceeding with further steps.
