A 20-year-old woman from Azerbaijan has allegedly been drugged and gang-raped in Lahore’s upscale Defence area, prompting authorities to detain three individuals and launch an intensive manhunt for the primary suspects in a case that has sent shockwaves through the city.
The victim, identified as Diana, was allegedly lured to a café by two unidentified women shortly after arriving in Lahore. According to police investigators, the women introduced her to three male accomplices at the establishment, where she was given a substance laced with drugs before being sexually assaulted. The suspects then abandoned her near Lahore’s airport and disappeared, police said.
The alleged attack occurred during the night between Friday and Saturday. Authorities have registered a formal case naming three suspects: Ahmed Tanveer, Ali, and Mohsin. The three individuals currently in custody are believed to have facilitated the crime rather than directly participated in the assault.
Investigators have made significant progress, recovering the vehicle allegedly used to abduct Diana from the residence of a relative of one of the main suspects. That relative has also fled and is being sought by authorities. Police have placed all named suspects on the stop list to prevent them from leaving the country.
DIG Investigation Syed Zeeshan Raza confirmed that special teams led by SP Investigation Cantt Asim Iftikhar have been formed to track down the accused. “All available resources are being used to arrest the suspects and bring them to justice,” Raza stated, as raids continue across the city.
Diana underwent a medical examination following the incident but remains unable to provide a formal statement to investigators. Police said they will record her account once she regains full consciousness and is medically cleared to speak.
Investigators revealed that Diana, who can understand and speak Urdu, has travelled to Pakistan multiple times for business purposes. She first arrived in Lahore from Tashkent on March 4 and stayed with an individual named Rida Hameed before departing for Baku on March 20. She returned on May 22 and stayed with Rashid Ali. Her most recent arrival was approximately 15 days ago, as she regularly travelled between Lahore and Faisalabad for her clothing business.
The case has raised urgent questions about the safety of foreign nationals in Pakistan’s major cities and the mechanisms in place to protect visitors. Defence, one of Lahore’s most affluent neighbourhoods, is generally considered secure, making the alleged crime particularly alarming for residents and the business community.
Authorities are under mounting pressure to swiftly apprehend the suspects and ensure justice for the victim. The incident comes at a sensitive time when Pakistan is working to improve its international image and attract foreign investment and tourism.
