Metro53 - LAHORE: Police have identified the vehicle allegedly used in the abduction of two foreign women in Lahore and arrested four suspects as investigations into the case continue, Lahore DIG Operations Faisal Kamran said on Saturday.
Addressing a press conference, Mr Kamran said the two women were allegedly abducted shortly after arriving in Lahore on June 29.
He said investigators traced the vehicle involved in the incident and established its registered owner, although the owner's mobile phone remained switched off during the initial stages of the investigation.
According to the DIG, the inquiry revealed links to individuals from Sargodha and other areas. Police also used Safe City surveillance cameras to track the vehicle's movements, which showed it travelling to Sargodha via the motorway.
Mr Kamran said police subsequently conducted raids in Sargodha before carrying out further operations in Shahdara and Defence. Four suspects were arrested on July 2.
He added that standard procedures were followed after one of the suspects was found to be related to a prominent political figure, and senior officers were informed accordingly.
Rejecting reports suggesting that the foreign women had escaped on their own, Mr Kamran said the victims had stated that they were recovered by the Punjab Police.
The DIG also addressed reports regarding an incident at a magistrate's residence, saying police had attempted to contact the duty magistrate and, when unsuccessful, the station house officer (SHO) visited the magistrate's home. He apologised for the minor incident that occurred there.
Mr Kamran said investigators relied on location data to trace and arrest the suspects.
He further disclosed that the victims' embassy had requested their immediate departure from Pakistan. However, police sought an additional day to complete their statements, assuring embassy officials that the Lahore Police would bear the cost of their airline tickets if required.
Following medical examinations and the recording of their statements, the two women were allowed to leave the country, he said.
The DIG said the first ransom call was received on July 1. During subsequent raids, police learned that some of the suspects had previously rented a house linked to the investigation. Authorities also verified information suggesting one suspect was related to the family of the deputy prime minister before proceeding with the inquiry.
Mr Kamran said police received the initial information about the abduction from the father of one of the victims. He added that all suspects had been arrested, presented before the court in handcuffs, and remanded into police custody.
He also said Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had directed the police to investigate the case strictly on merit, stressing that anyone found guilty would be brought to justice.
