Policemen in Lahore have filed charges against five individuals for kidnapping two foreign women from their homes. The victims are nationals of the Netherlands and Venezuela who came to Pakistan for a visit. They were held captive, subjected to sexual assault, and the suspects demanded a ransom of $1.5 million before releasing them.
Upon receiving a call from the Spanish Embassy regarding the incident, DIG Faisal Kamran ordered an immediate response by senior police officials. The victims were recovered and taken into custody along with four suspects, who have been apprehended through the use of Punjab Safe City Authority’s surveillance cameras installed in the city. A judicial magistrate at Cantonment Courts heard their statements under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, where a women’s counsel was present to update them on the case progress.
The victims narrated their ordeal in an open court hearing. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz took notice of the incident and ordered immediate action by the Lahore police. Police launched swift operations within two hours, rescuing the foreign women while arresting four suspects involved in the crime. The fifth suspect is believed to be a relative of a senior political figure who demanded ransom before assaulting them.
A security guard who escaped during the abduction attempt has also been identified and is currently being pursued by police teams. Police investigators are now working on completing travel documents for the victims, allowing their early departure from Pakistan.
Source: Original report
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