Pakistan Political Scandal Deepens as Deputy PM Ishaq Dar's Grandson Faces Gang-Rape Charges in Lahore

Pakistan is facing renewed scrutiny after a Lahore court formally indicted Muhammad Raza Dar, grandson of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, along with seven other suspects in a case involving the alleged gang rape and illegal detention of two foreign women. The development has raised serious questions about accountability and the handling of criminal allegations involving individuals connected to influential political families.

According to reports, the two women, one from the Netherlands and another from Venezuela, travelled to Pakistan in June 2026 following a business-related invitation. They had reportedly met Raza Dar in Singapore in 2025 through a cryptocurrency investment arrangement. The case took a controversial turn after the women allegedly accused Raza Dar and his associates of detaining and sexually assaulting them at a property in Lahore's Defence Housing Authority. Investigators also alleged that the women were threatened with weapons and forced to transfer approximately $19,500.

The most significant development concerns the earlier police investigation. Punjab Police had reportedly cleared Raza Dar and four other suspects of direct sexual assault allegations, instead implicating three employees in the alleged assault. However, the court has now formally framed charges against all eight accused, bringing the case into a new phase.

All eight suspects appeared before the court and pleaded not guilty. The judge has directed the prosecution to present its witnesses on December 9, paving the way for the trial to proceed. The case has attracted considerable attention because of the accused's family connection to one of Pakistan's most senior government officials. It has also intensified scrutiny of whether Pakistan's law enforcement institutions can ensure equal treatment under the law, regardless of political connections or family influence. The controversy has placed Pakistan's policing standards, criminal justice system and accountability mechanisms under renewed public scrutiny.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from the Hindu.