The Crime Control Department will not investigate the alleged rape of two foreign women in Lahore, according to DIG Operations Lahore Faisal Kamran.
Explaining the jurisdictional position, the DIG said kidnapping for ransom falls within the scope of the CCD.
However, sexual offences listed under Pakistan’s anti-rape law will remain with the regular police and its specialised investigation mechanism.
Therefore, Lahore Police will continue handling the case involving the two foreign visitors.
The case includes allegations of abduction, ransom demands and sexual assault.
Despite the kidnapping-for-ransom allegation, Faisal Kamran said the sexual-offence component places the investigation under the procedures established by the Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) Act.
The law provides a specialised framework for investigating rape and sexual abuse cases. It also requires designated sexual-offence investigation units and trained officers to handle such complaints.
As a result, the case will not be transferred to the CCD merely because it also contains an allegation of kidnapping for ransom.
The DIG’s remarks came amid public calls for the department to take over the investigation.
The case concerns two foreign women who were allegedly kidnapped and sexually assaulted after travelling to Lahore.
ProPakistani previously reported that police recovered the women after the father of one victim contacted the emergency helpline from abroad.
He reportedly informed authorities that the suspects were demanding $1.5 million in ransom.
The alleged abduction took place on June 29, while police received information about the matter on July 2.
Police later registered an FIR at Defence C Police Station on the complaint of one of the women.
According to Lahore Police, the two women had travelled to Pakistan voluntarily after meeting the principal suspect in Singapore.
Discussions had reportedly taken place regarding a cryptocurrency investment and the distribution of its profits.
The suspect allegedly invited the women to Pakistan and arranged their visas.
However, the complainant alleged that the suspect, his employer and other men later abducted them.
She further alleged that the suspects demanded ransom, repeatedly raped her companion and attempted to sexually assault her.
These remain allegations and will be tested through the investigation and court proceedings.
Investigators traced the women using photographs and vehicle information shared with their relatives.
Police used registration records and CCTV footage to follow the vehicle through Shahdara, Sargodha and Islamabad before it returned to Lahore’s Defence area.
Officers then conducted a raid and recovered the women.
Police arrested four suspects and launched further raids to locate others allegedly connected to the case.
A Lahore court subsequently granted police physical remand of the arrested suspects for further questioning.
Medical examinations of the women were also conducted as part of the investigation.
Lahore Police will now continue the inquiry under the legal procedures applicable to sexual offences, while the CCD will not assume control of the case.
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