Pakistan has witnessed a series of high-profile militant deaths since 2023, with multiple terrorist commanders reportedly killed in targeted operations and attacks. The developments have dealt a significant blow to terror networks and their infrastructure, raising questions about the evolving security landscape in the region.

Terror infrastructure in Pakistan takes a major hit

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman admitted that the Pakistani government had lost control in Balochistan province. In a veiled dig at Pakistani Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir's political meddling, he dared military personnel to retire and contest elections, which he claimed would expose the ground support for the Army.


Maulana Fazlur Rehman says Pak is disintegrating, fires 'contest polls' dare at Munir

Pakistan has intensified its crackdown on undocumented Afghan nationals following the July 10 deadline for illegal residents to leave the country. Authorities have been instructed to arrest and deport Afghans without valid visas or legal documents, while action will also be taken against those providing shelter or rental accommodation. The move expands Pakistan's ongoing repatriation campaign, with over one million Afghans already returned, raising concerns over Afghanistan's humanitarian and economic challenges.

Pakistan launches massive deportation drive against undocumented Afghan nationals 

The European Parliament passed a resolution, condemning the forced conversion and marriage of a 13-year-old Christian girl named Maria Shahbaz in Lahore. Flagging human rights violations in Pakistan, it warned that a failure to implement its human rights commitments could result in the withdrawal of Pakistan's preferential trade benefits. 


EU wants to punish Pakistan for human rights violations, scrap trade benefits

Renewed tensions in West Asia are causing major disruptions. Traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has come to a grinding halt, threatening global energy flows. Pakistan is feeling the impact immediately. The country has floated an emergency LNG tender for delivery on July 15-16 and is scrambling for spot gas to avoid shortages. With the Hormuz chokepoint blocked, fuel prices and supply chains across the region are under pressure. The crisis is exposing how fragile energy security is.


West Asia tensions: Pakistan scrambles for LNG after Hormuz crisis blocks Qatar gas shipment

The European Parliament on Thursday (Jul 9) adopted a resolution condemning the widespread abduction, forced conversion, and child marriage of young girls in Pakistan. Calling on the South Asian nation to strengthen protections of girls belonging to religious minorities, the resolution called on Islamabad to overhaul its legal system. This comes after a 13-year-old Christian girl was forced into marriage with her abductor.<h2>A crisis Pakistan is ignoring</h2>In a resolution passed on Thursday, EU lawmakers warned that the abduction and forced conversion of young minority girls in the country has turned into an ongoing crisis that officials are largely ignoring.At the centre of the international backlash is the case of Maria Shahbaz. She was just 13 when she was taken from her home in July 2025, forced to convert to Islam, and married off to a 30-year-old man. Her family fought the marriage in court, but Pakistan's Federal Constitutional Court officially upheld the union this past March, despite school and birth records proving she was a minor. Right now, Maria remains in her abductor's custody while her parents try to pull together a final legal appeal.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/weapon-of-war-india-at-un-condemns-conflict-related-sexual-violence-highlights-role-of-women-peacekeepers-1783645114228">'Weapon of war': India at UN condemns conflict-related sexual violence, highlights role of women peacekeepers</a>European officials say Maria's story is just the tip of the iceberg. "MEPs are calling for her to have access to legal representation, her family, and psychological support. They condemn similar abuses committed against underage girls belonging to religious minorities, underlining that her case is emblematic of broader human rights violations faced by minorities in Pakistan".<h2>Hindu, Christian girls targeted in Pakistan</h2>The resolution highlighted United Nations data from 2025 showing that roughly 75 per cent of the women and girls forced into these conversions are Hindu, while the remaining 25 per cent are Christian.Lawmakers demanded that Pakistan must come up with a "national mechanism," a nationwide tracking system, so families can actually report abductions without being turned away by local police. Crucially, they are calling for the men behind these marriages to be prosecuted instead of being let off the hook by local magistrates.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/suspected-terror-plot-targeting-ayodhya-ram-temple-uncovered-man-with-alleged-pakistan-links-arrested-in-karnataka-1782359020050">Terror plot targeting Ayodhya Ram Temple foiled; UP man with alleged Pakistan links arrested in Karnataka</a>"The perpetrators must be prosecuted and Pakistan's judicial framework strengthened, they add, and abducted girls must be able to return safely," the resolution said.Advocacy groups like Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP) have been pushing the case for months. Highlighting Maria's case, the group noted that this was not an isolated incident but a well-documented pattern. They say local courts frequently accept falsified statements from abductors claiming the girls converted entirely on their own free will.&nbsp;

The European Parliament has condemned Pakistan over the widespread abduction, forced conversion and child marriage of Hindu and Christian girls, calling Maria Shahbaz's case emblematic of a broader human rights crisis. The resolution urges Islamabad to overhaul its legal system.

The European Parliament on Thursday (Jul 9) adopted a resolution condemning the widespread abduction, forced conversion, and child marriage of young girls in Pakistan. Calling on the South Asian nation to strengthen protections of girls belonging to religious minorities, the resolution called on Islamabad to overhaul its legal system. This comes after a 13-year-old Christian girl was forced into marriage with her abductor. A crisis Pakistan is ignoring In a resolution passed on Thursday, EU lawmakers warned that the abduction and forced conversion of young minority girls in the country has turned into an ongoing crisis that officials are largely ignoring. At the centre of the international backlash is the case of Maria Shahbaz. She was just 13 when she was taken from her home in July 2025, forced to convert to Islam, and married off to a 30-year-old man. Her family fought the marriage in court, but Pakistan's Federal Constitutional Court officially upheld the union this past March, despite school and birth records proving she was a minor. Right now, Maria remains in her abductor's custody while her parents try to pull together a final legal appeal. Also read | 'Weapon of war': India at UN condemns conflict-related sexual violence, highlights role of women peacekeepers European officials say Maria's story is just the tip of the iceberg. "MEPs are calling for her to have access to legal representation, her family, and psychological support. They condemn similar abuses committed against underage girls belonging to religious minorities, underlining that her case is emblematic of broader human rights violations faced by minorities in Pakistan". Hindu, Christian girls targeted in Pakistan The resolution highlighted United Nations data from 2025 showing that roughly 75 per cent of the women and girls forced into these conversions are Hindu, while the remaining 25 per cent are Christian. Lawmakers demanded that Pakistan must come up with a "national mechanism," a nationwide tracking system, so families can actually report abductions without being turned away by local police. Crucially, they are calling for the men behind these marriages to be prosecuted instead of being let off the hook by local magistrates. Also read | Terror plot targeting Ayodhya Ram Temple foiled; UP man with alleged Pakistan links arrested in Karnataka "The perpetrators must be prosecuted and Pakistan's judicial framework strengthened, they add, and abducted girls must be able to return safely," the resolution said. Advocacy groups like Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP) have been pushing the case for months. Highlighting Maria's case, the group noted that this was not an isolated incident but a well-documented pattern. They say local courts frequently accept falsified statements from abductors claiming the girls converted entirely on their own free will.

The European Parliament has condemned Pakistan over the widespread abduction, forced conversion and child marriage of Hindu and Christian girls, calling Maria Shahbaz's case emblematic of a broader human rights crisis. The resolution urges Islamabad to overhaul its legal system.

EU Parliament slams Pakistan over forced marriages after 13-year-old girl's custody given to her rapist

Balochistan is facing a massive security crisis following a brutal four-day surge in militant violence that has left 42 people dead, including soldiers, police officers, and civilians. The violence, which began on July 4, included a high-stakes ambush of an army convoy on the N-25 highway and a multidirectional attack on a Ziarat police checkpoint.


Pakistan Soldiers Killed, Abducted: After PoK, Balochistan Erupts

A wave of militant attacks across Pakistan’s Balochistan province has resulted in at least 42 deaths, including security personnel and civilians, since Monday. The military reported that militants, including the outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), targeted police check posts and army convoys, leading to fierce clashes.


Deadly surge in Balochistan: 42 killed in coordinated attacks across the province

As per reports, Pakistan has begun mediating between Libya's two main rival power centres. At a time when it is facing internal turmoil, Pakistan is trying to broker a 36-month power-sharing arrangement in Libya.


pakistan plays 'mediator' in Libya even as internal turmoil grows

US Senator Rick Scott has questioned the neutrality of the mediator Pakistan, as it had sent a delegation to attend the funeral of the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, urging Washington to "remember who Pakistan really is". The delegation was led by Pakistani Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif, who praised the 86-year-old late Shia cleric and said that Pakistan and Iran walk together always.&nbsp;Scott shared a video of Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif describing Ayatollah as a &nbsp;“a great scholar and leader whom millions of Muslims will remember." He said that “Millions of Muslims –– not only in Iran ––but around the globe will remember him as a leader." Sharif also referred to the thousands of martyrs in what is considered a veiled reference to the United States and Israel, “Pakistan and Iran will march together under all circumstances.”Rick hit out at Sharif, for whom Scott accused Islamabad of hypocrisy and described Khamenei as a “genocidal mass-murdering tyrant”, reminding that Pakistan is the country which hosted Bin Laden, and it disqualifies Islamabad's role to be a neutral mediator. “We need to remember who Pakistan really is in the middle of all this. We’re talking about a country where bin Laden hid out for a decade, where they selectively enforce lopsided blasphemy laws to persecute Christians, and where the Prime Minister just praised the genocidal mass murdering tyrant that used to run Iran," wrote Scott in a social media post.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-monitoring-nato-summit-kremlin-peskov-ukraine-trump-1783421997995">Kremlin says NATO summit is of 'great interest' as alliance unveils new defence plans</a>He drew a parallel between Qatar, which is often accused of harbouring Hamas and Pakistan. “They’re no better qualified to ‘mediate’ this than the Hamas-harbouring Qataris. Islamabad should take note; we’re watching closely."&nbsp;US lawmakers have also taken issue with Pakistan’s outright refusal to join the Abraham Accords. In May 2026, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham similarly labelled Pakistan’s role as "more than problematic". This recent remark comes weeks after the US-Iran agreement to a MoU framework for negotiating a peace mediated by Pakistan and Qatar. But the implementation of the framework remains a major hurdle over the details of reopening the Strait of Hormuz and the release of Iranian funds.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">We need to remember who Pakistan really is in the middle of all this. We’re talking about a country where bin Laden hid out for a decade, where they selectively enforce lopsided blasphemy laws to persecute Christians, and where the Prime Minister just praised the genocidal mass… <a href="https://t.co/7SRIGGwyI1">https://t.co/7SRIGGwyI1</a>&mdash; Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) <a href="https://x.com/SenRickScott/status/2074265499358171324?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 6, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

US Senator Rick Scott questioned Pakistan's neutrality after the PM Shehbaz Sharif praised Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, saying Islamabad cannot be a credible mediator in US-Iran diplomacy.

US Senator Rick Scott has questioned the neutrality of the mediator Pakistan, as it had sent a delegation to attend the funeral of the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, urging Washington to "remember who Pakistan really is". The delegation was led by Pakistani Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif, who praised the 86-year-old late Shia cleric and said that Pakistan and Iran walk together always. Scott shared a video of Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif describing Ayatollah as a “a great scholar and leader whom millions of Muslims will remember." He said that “Millions of Muslims –– not only in Iran ––but around the globe will remember him as a leader." Sharif also referred to the thousands of martyrs in what is considered a veiled reference to the United States and Israel, “Pakistan and Iran will march together under all circumstances.” Rick hit out at Sharif, for whom Scott accused Islamabad of hypocrisy and described Khamenei as a “genocidal mass-murdering tyrant”, reminding that Pakistan is the country which hosted Bin Laden, and it disqualifies Islamabad's role to be a neutral mediator. “We need to remember who Pakistan really is in the middle of all this. We’re talking about a country where bin Laden hid out for a decade, where they selectively enforce lopsided blasphemy laws to persecute Christians, and where the Prime Minister just praised the genocidal mass murdering tyrant that used to run Iran," wrote Scott in a social media post. Also Read: Kremlin says NATO summit is of 'great interest' as alliance unveils new defence plans He drew a parallel between Qatar, which is often accused of harbouring Hamas and Pakistan. “They’re no better qualified to ‘mediate’ this than the Hamas-harbouring Qataris. Islamabad should take note; we’re watching closely." US lawmakers have also taken issue with Pakistan’s outright refusal to join the Abraham Accords. In May 2026, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham similarly labelled Pakistan’s role as "more than problematic". This recent remark comes weeks after the US-Iran agreement to a MoU framework for negotiating a peace mediated by Pakistan and Qatar. But the implementation of the framework remains a major hurdle over the details of reopening the Strait of Hormuz and the release of Iranian funds.

US Senator Rick Scott questioned Pakistan's neutrality after the PM Shehbaz Sharif praised Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, saying Islamabad cannot be a credible mediator in US-Iran diplomacy.

'Where Bin Laden hid...': Rick Scott slams Pakistan's mediator role after Khamenei tribute

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday (July 6, 2026) filed charges against Hafiz Saeed, chief and founder of Pakistan-based terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and its proxy The Resistance Front (TRF), in the Pahalgam terror attack case. Twenty-six civilians were killed in the attack on April 22, 2025. 


Pahalgam terror attack probe, Hafiz Saeed's role revealed by NIA

Residents in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir are facing growing shortages of food, fuel, and medicines amid an ongoing standoff with Pakistani authorities. As public anger intensifies, local leaders have appealed to India for humanitarian assistance. Meanwhile, the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) has issued a fresh ultimatum to Islamabad, demanding action on key grievances. 

Pok leader appeals to India for food & medicines as Pakistan's brutality continues

Reports claim that 15 women in Nagpur have developed kidney problems after using the Pakistani fairness cream "Goree". The skin-whitening cream was being sold in India on Meesho and Instagram pages. Earlier, reports started doing the rounds that the Goree Beauty Cream is allegedly made in Pakistan and available for purchase in India. People started wondering how such a produce enter the Indian market. Two other skincare products have also been deemed unsafe for use.&nbsp;According to reports, the FDA has ordered an immediate ban on the sale and distribution of Goree Beauty Cream, Face Fresh Gold (Beauty Cream &amp; Beauty Serum) and Golden Star Beauty Cream, officially terming them "Not of Standard Quality (NSQ)." The creams were found to contain mercury and lead far above the legally permissible limits.&nbsp;The Centre has imposed a complete ban on direct commercial imports and trade with Pakistan. However, some people use illegal chains to transport Pakistani products into India. A few days ago, Mumbai Police arrested and a shopkeeper in Chembur for allegedly selling Goree Beauty Cream. A criminal case has been filed against him. Grey-market supply chains or via global shipping platforms are a way for them to land in the country.&nbsp;The incident started making headlines after doctors noticed a pattern of illness among several patients. Eighteen women developed kidney problems in Nagpur over two years and reached out for medical help. Doctors treating them found that all of them were using the same cream. Later, health creator Chirag Barjatya shared the matter on Instagram. Citing Maharashtra FDA, he said that the cream contained 752 times the legally permissible limit of mercury.&nbsp;He noted that the highly toxic element is sometimes added to fairness creams as it suppresses melanin production. Meesho also responded by saying that it was looking into the matter. &nbsp;

Goree Beauty Cream is allegedly made in Pakistan and was being sold on Meesho and Instagram in India. It has been found to contain high livels of mercuru and lead, which caused kidney problems in 18 women in Nagpur.

Reports claim that 15 women in Nagpur have developed kidney problems after using the Pakistani fairness cream "Goree". The skin-whitening cream was being sold in India on Meesho and Instagram pages. Earlier, reports started doing the rounds that the Goree Beauty Cream is allegedly made in Pakistan and available for purchase in India. People started wondering how such a produce enter the Indian market. Two other skincare products have also been deemed unsafe for use. According to reports, the FDA has ordered an immediate ban on the sale and distribution of Goree Beauty Cream, Face Fresh Gold (Beauty Cream & Beauty Serum) and Golden Star Beauty Cream, officially terming them "Not of Standard Quality (NSQ)." The creams were found to contain mercury and lead far above the legally permissible limits. The Centre has imposed a complete ban on direct commercial imports and trade with Pakistan. However, some people use illegal chains to transport Pakistani products into India. A few days ago, Mumbai Police arrested and a shopkeeper in Chembur for allegedly selling Goree Beauty Cream. A criminal case has been filed against him. Grey-market supply chains or via global shipping platforms are a way for them to land in the country. The incident started making headlines after doctors noticed a pattern of illness among several patients. Eighteen women developed kidney problems in Nagpur over two years and reached out for medical help. Doctors treating them found that all of them were using the same cream. Later, health creator Chirag Barjatya shared the matter on Instagram. Citing Maharashtra FDA, he said that the cream contained 752 times the legally permissible limit of mercury. He noted that the highly toxic element is sometimes added to fairness creams as it suppresses melanin production. Meesho also responded by saying that it was looking into the matter.

Goree Beauty Cream is allegedly made in Pakistan and was being sold on Meesho and Instagram in India. It has been found to contain high livels of mercuru and lead, which caused kidney problems in 18 women in Nagpur.

18 women developed kidney problems in Nagpur. Medical probe found a common culprit

A massive controversy has gripped Pakistan’s political establishment following the arrest of Muhammad Raza Dar, a relative (identified in reports as a grandson) of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. Raza Dar is one of four suspects currently in police custody in connection with the alleged kidnapping, gang rape, and extortion of two foreign nationals in Lahore.  


Pakistan deputy PM Ishaq Dar faces backlash over grandson's gang rape arrest 

When Pakistani authorities arrested Muhammad Raza Dar, grandson of Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, the charge sheet described not a spontaneous crime, but a carefully constructed trap. The two victims, one from the Netherlands and the other from Venezuela, were not random targets. They were cultivated, trusted, invited, and then allegedly held captive, assaulted, and extorted. Here is how the alleged crime was planned and executed, based on the FIR and police statements.&nbsp;Step 1: Singapore, October 2025 — The First Meeting&nbsp;Muhammad Raza Dar first encountered the two women in Singapore in October 2025. The introduction was made through the world of cryptocurrency, a space where large sums move quickly, identities are loosely verified, and trust is built on projected wealth and technical credibility. Raza Dar presented himself as a serious business partner. The three entered into a joint cryptocurrency investment venture. The women initially put in around $60,000. Over the following months, as the relationship appeared to deepen and returns seemed promising, their total investment grew to approximately $500,000. Nothing in that period appears to have raised red flags.&nbsp;Step 2: The Business Invitation — And The Visas He Arranged&nbsp;With months of apparent trust established, Raza Dar extended an invitation: come to Pakistan for business. He did not leave the logistics to the women. He reportedly arranged their business visas himself, handling the paperwork and facilitating the process. This detail matters: by controlling the visa process, Raza Dar ensured the women arrived in Pakistan through his channels, on his timeline, and without independent contacts in the country. When the two women boarded their flights to Lahore, they had every reason to believe they were travelling for a legitimate business meeting with a partner they had known for eight months.&nbsp;Step 3: June 29 — Abducted Within Hours Of Landing&nbsp;The women arrived in Lahore on June 29, 2026. According to their statements to police, they were abducted shortly after arriving in the city. Raza Dar, along with his accomplices, Hassan Raza, Sikandar Khan, Sajid Ali, and a fifth man identified in the FIR only as ‘Boss’ took the women to an abandoned house in Lahore. The transition from business guests to captives happened within hours of landing. They were in a foreign country, with no independent network, no local contacts, and documents arranged by the man who had just abducted them.&nbsp;Step 4: Inside The Abandoned House — Assault, Robbery, Threats&nbsp;Inside the house, the FIR states the women were subjected to repeated gang rape and physical assault. Their cash was taken from them. They were threatened with death if they resisted. According to one source, threats of organ harvesting were also made to ensure compliance. The five accused allegedly took turns. The women were held captive while negotiations over a ransom unfolded.&nbsp;Step 5: The Ransom — $1.5 Million In Cryptocurrency&nbsp;The abduction was not purely an act of violence, it was also a financial extraction. The accused demanded $1.5 million, equivalent to approximately 450 million Pakistani rupees, to be paid in cryptocurrency. The demand was linked back to the original investment: the crypto venture that had drawn the women to Raza Dar in Singapore was now being used as leverage to extort them. Pay $1.5 million, or face continued captivity, violence, and threats. The choice of cryptocurrency as the ransom medium was deliberate — it is harder to trace, faster to transfer, and crosses borders without banking scrutiny.&nbsp;Step 6: The Arrests — And The One Still Missing&nbsp;Pakistani authorities moved to arrest the accused. Muhammad Raza Dar, Hassan Raza, Sikandar Khan, and Sajid Ali were taken into custody. All four were produced before the Lahore Cantonment court, which granted police a five-day physical remand, less than the 14 days investigators had requested. The fifth accused, referred to only as ‘Boss’ in the FIR, has not been arrested. Raids are reportedly underway. Pakistani social media and at least one journalist have suggested that when the ‘Boss’ is identified, the revelation will be more shocking than anything that has already emerged in this case.&nbsp;The Question Pakistan Is Not Answering&nbsp;Muhammad Raza Dar is the grandson of Ishaq Dar, who simultaneously holds the positions of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan. Dar has issued no public statement. The Pakistani government has made no formal comment. Two foreign nationals, invited to Pakistan on business visas that his family member arranged, were allegedly kidnapped, gang raped, and held for a $1.5 million ransom within hours of landing. The diplomatic exposure, with the Netherlands and Venezuela both affected — is significant. The political exposure, with the family of the Foreign Minister directly implicated, is without recent precedent in Pakistan. What happens to the ‘Boss’ still at large may determine whether this case is remembered as justice done, or justice managed.

Step-by-step: how Muhammad Raza Dar allegedly used a crypto venture in Singapore to build trust, arranged visas, and abducted two foreign women in Lahore on June 29. $1.5M ransom. Fifth 'Boss' still free.

When Pakistani authorities arrested Muhammad Raza Dar, grandson of Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, the charge sheet described not a spontaneous crime, but a carefully constructed trap. The two victims, one from the Netherlands and the other from Venezuela, were not random targets. They were cultivated, trusted, invited, and then allegedly held captive, assaulted, and extorted. Here is how the alleged crime was planned and executed, based on the FIR and police statements. Step 1: Singapore, October 2025 — The First Meeting Muhammad Raza Dar first encountered the two women in Singapore in October 2025. The introduction was made through the world of cryptocurrency, a space where large sums move quickly, identities are loosely verified, and trust is built on projected wealth and technical credibility. Raza Dar presented himself as a serious business partner. The three entered into a joint cryptocurrency investment venture. The women initially put in around $60,000. Over the following months, as the relationship appeared to deepen and returns seemed promising, their total investment grew to approximately $500,000. Nothing in that period appears to have raised red flags. Step 2: The Business Invitation — And The Visas He Arranged With months of apparent trust established, Raza Dar extended an invitation: come to Pakistan for business. He did not leave the logistics to the women. He reportedly arranged their business visas himself, handling the paperwork and facilitating the process. This detail matters: by controlling the visa process, Raza Dar ensured the women arrived in Pakistan through his channels, on his timeline, and without independent contacts in the country. When the two women boarded their flights to Lahore, they had every reason to believe they were travelling for a legitimate business meeting with a partner they had known for eight months. Step 3: June 29 — Abducted Within Hours Of Landing The women arrived in Lahore on June 29, 2026. According to their statements to police, they were abducted shortly after arriving in the city. Raza Dar, along with his accomplices, Hassan Raza, Sikandar Khan, Sajid Ali, and a fifth man identified in the FIR only as ‘Boss’ took the women to an abandoned house in Lahore. The transition from business guests to captives happened within hours of landing. They were in a foreign country, with no independent network, no local contacts, and documents arranged by the man who had just abducted them. Step 4: Inside The Abandoned House — Assault, Robbery, Threats Inside the house, the FIR states the women were subjected to repeated gang rape and physical assault. Their cash was taken from them. They were threatened with death if they resisted. According to one source, threats of organ harvesting were also made to ensure compliance. The five accused allegedly took turns. The women were held captive while negotiations over a ransom unfolded. Step 5: The Ransom — $1.5 Million In Cryptocurrency The abduction was not purely an act of violence, it was also a financial extraction. The accused demanded $1.5 million, equivalent to approximately 450 million Pakistani rupees, to be paid in cryptocurrency. The demand was linked back to the original investment: the crypto venture that had drawn the women to Raza Dar in Singapore was now being used as leverage to extort them. Pay $1.5 million, or face continued captivity, violence, and threats. The choice of cryptocurrency as the ransom medium was deliberate — it is harder to trace, faster to transfer, and crosses borders without banking scrutiny. Step 6: The Arrests — And The One Still Missing Pakistani authorities moved to arrest the accused. Muhammad Raza Dar, Hassan Raza, Sikandar Khan, and Sajid Ali were taken into custody. All four were produced before the Lahore Cantonment court, which granted police a five-day physical remand, less than the 14 days investigators had requested. The fifth accused, referred to only as ‘Boss’ in the FIR, has not been arrested. Raids are reportedly underway. Pakistani social media and at least one journalist have suggested that when the ‘Boss’ is identified, the revelation will be more shocking than anything that has already emerged in this case. The Question Pakistan Is Not Answering Muhammad Raza Dar is the grandson of Ishaq Dar, who simultaneously holds the positions of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan. Dar has issued no public statement. The Pakistani government has made no formal comment. Two foreign nationals, invited to Pakistan on business visas that his family member arranged, were allegedly kidnapped, gang raped, and held for a $1.5 million ransom within hours of landing. The diplomatic exposure, with the Netherlands and Venezuela both affected — is significant. The political exposure, with the family of the Foreign Minister directly implicated, is without recent precedent in Pakistan. What happens to the ‘Boss’ still at large may determine whether this case is remembered as justice done, or justice managed.

It did not happen overnight. The alleged kidnapping and gang rape of two foreign women, a Dutch national and a Venezuelan, by Muhammad Raza Dar, grandson of Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, was months in the making. It began with a cryptocurrency investment in Singapore in October 2025, grew through carefully arranged business visas, and ended in an abandoned house in Lahore on June 29, 2026. This is a step-by-step account of how it allegedly unfolded.

How Pakistani FM's grandson allegedly planned and gang-raped two foreign women after inviting them for business

Pakistan is reeling from one of the most explosive criminal cases in recent memory, one that reaches directly into the family of its Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. Muhammad Raza Dar, the grandson of Ishaq Dar, has been arrested in Lahore alongside three accomplices on charges of kidnapping, gang rape, physical assault, and extortion. The victims are two foreign nationals, a Dutch citizen and a Venezuelan. A fifth accused, described only as ‘Boss’ in the First Information Report, remains at large. Pakistani journalists and social media users say his identity, when revealed, will shock the country.&nbsp;How It Began: Singapore, Cryptocurrency, And A Business Invitation&nbsp;The case traces back to October 2025, when the two women first met Muhammad Raza Dar in Singapore. The three were connected through a cryptocurrency investment venture. According to police, the women initially invested around $60,000 in a joint crypto project with Raza Dar. The investment grew over time to approximately $500,000. Raza Dar allegedly cultivated their trust over months, positioning himself as a legitimate business partner. He then invited the two women to visit Pakistan, claiming it was for business purposes. He reportedly arranged their business visas himself and facilitated their travel to Lahore.&nbsp;June 29: Abduction Within Hours Of Landing&nbsp;The women arrived in Lahore on June 29, 2026. According to their statements to police, they were abducted shortly after arriving, taken by Raza Dar, his accomplices, and the as-yet-unidentified ‘Boss’ to an abandoned house in the city. What followed, as recorded in the FIR, was a sustained act of violence. The women were robbed of their cash, subjected to repeated gang rape and physical assault, and threatened with death if they did not comply. Their ordeal did not end there.&nbsp;The $1.5 Million Ransom Demand&nbsp;While holding the two women captive, the accused demanded a ransom of $1.5 million, approximately 450 million Pakistani rupees — to be paid in cryptocurrency. The ransom demand makes clear that this was not a crime of opportunity. The accused had cultivated a months-long relationship with the victims, secured access to their trust and their willingness to travel to Pakistan, and then used that access to extort them at a scale that suggests premeditation. The crypto angle, an investment that the victims had grown from $60,000 to $500,000, appears to have been used as both leverage and bait.&nbsp;Four Arrested, Court Grants Five Days Of Remand&nbsp;Lahore police arrested four men: Muhammad Raza Dar, Hassan Raza, Sikandar Khan, and Sajid Ali. All four were produced before the Lahore Cantonment court, which granted police a five-day physical remand for further investigation, less than the 14-day remand investigators had requested. Authorities have confirmed that raids are underway to locate and arrest the fifth suspect. The investigation is being closely watched given the political profile of the accused's family.&nbsp;The ‘Boss’: The Name Pakistan Is Waiting For&nbsp;The most unsettling element of this case is not what is known, it is what is not. The FIR refers to a fifth accused only as ‘Boss’, and he has not been named publicly. Pakistani social media has lit up with speculation about who this person might be, with multiple accounts and at least one journalist suggesting that the eventual identification of the ‘Boss’ will be far more explosive than the arrest of Raza Dar himself. Some posts have speculated about a possible connection to Pakistan's powerful military establishment, though no official claim has been made and no name has been confirmed. Pakistani authorities have not commented on the identity or the speculation.&nbsp;Ishaq Dar: Deputy PM, Foreign Minister, Grandfather&nbsp;Ishaq Dar holds two of the most senior positions in the Pakistani government simultaneously, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. He is also, through family ties, connected to former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Dar has made no public statement about his grandson's arrest. His silence has been noted widely in Pakistani media. The case puts him in an extraordinarily difficult position: any comment risks being seen as interference in an investigation involving his own family; silence risks being seen as indifference to a brutal crime against two foreign nationals.&nbsp;What This Means For Pakistan&nbsp;The arrest comes at a time when Pakistan is actively courting foreign investment and attempting to repair its international image. Two foreign women, invited to the country on business visas, were allegedly abducted, assaulted, and held for a ransom of $1.5 million within hours of arriving in Lahore. That this crime involved the grandson of the sitting Foreign Minister adds a layer of political exposure that Pakistan can ill afford. Calls have grown louder for a transparent and independent investigation, precisely because the involvement of a powerful political family makes the risk of interference obvious. What Pakistan does next, particularly with the ‘Boss’ still at large, will say a great deal about whether those calls are heard.

Muhammad Raza Dar, grandson of Pakistan Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, arrested for kidnapping and gang-raping a Dutch and Venezuelan woman in Lahore. $1.5M ransom demanded. Fifth 'Boss' suspect still at large.

Pakistan is reeling from one of the most explosive criminal cases in recent memory, one that reaches directly into the family of its Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. Muhammad Raza Dar, the grandson of Ishaq Dar, has been arrested in Lahore alongside three accomplices on charges of kidnapping, gang rape, physical assault, and extortion. The victims are two foreign nationals, a Dutch citizen and a Venezuelan. A fifth accused, described only as ‘Boss’ in the First Information Report, remains at large. Pakistani journalists and social media users say his identity, when revealed, will shock the country. How It Began: Singapore, Cryptocurrency, And A Business Invitation The case traces back to October 2025, when the two women first met Muhammad Raza Dar in Singapore. The three were connected through a cryptocurrency investment venture. According to police, the women initially invested around $60,000 in a joint crypto project with Raza Dar. The investment grew over time to approximately $500,000. Raza Dar allegedly cultivated their trust over months, positioning himself as a legitimate business partner. He then invited the two women to visit Pakistan, claiming it was for business purposes. He reportedly arranged their business visas himself and facilitated their travel to Lahore. June 29: Abduction Within Hours Of Landing The women arrived in Lahore on June 29, 2026. According to their statements to police, they were abducted shortly after arriving, taken by Raza Dar, his accomplices, and the as-yet-unidentified ‘Boss’ to an abandoned house in the city. What followed, as recorded in the FIR, was a sustained act of violence. The women were robbed of their cash, subjected to repeated gang rape and physical assault, and threatened with death if they did not comply. Their ordeal did not end there. The $1.5 Million Ransom Demand While holding the two women captive, the accused demanded a ransom of $1.5 million, approximately 450 million Pakistani rupees — to be paid in cryptocurrency. The ransom demand makes clear that this was not a crime of opportunity. The accused had cultivated a months-long relationship with the victims, secured access to their trust and their willingness to travel to Pakistan, and then used that access to extort them at a scale that suggests premeditation. The crypto angle, an investment that the victims had grown from $60,000 to $500,000, appears to have been used as both leverage and bait. Four Arrested, Court Grants Five Days Of Remand Lahore police arrested four men: Muhammad Raza Dar, Hassan Raza, Sikandar Khan, and Sajid Ali. All four were produced before the Lahore Cantonment court, which granted police a five-day physical remand for further investigation, less than the 14-day remand investigators had requested. Authorities have confirmed that raids are underway to locate and arrest the fifth suspect. The investigation is being closely watched given the political profile of the accused's family. The ‘Boss’: The Name Pakistan Is Waiting For The most unsettling element of this case is not what is known, it is what is not. The FIR refers to a fifth accused only as ‘Boss’, and he has not been named publicly. Pakistani social media has lit up with speculation about who this person might be, with multiple accounts and at least one journalist suggesting that the eventual identification of the ‘Boss’ will be far more explosive than the arrest of Raza Dar himself. Some posts have speculated about a possible connection to Pakistan's powerful military establishment, though no official claim has been made and no name has been confirmed. Pakistani authorities have not commented on the identity or the speculation. Ishaq Dar: Deputy PM, Foreign Minister, Grandfather Ishaq Dar holds two of the most senior positions in the Pakistani government simultaneously, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. He is also, through family ties, connected to former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Dar has made no public statement about his grandson's arrest. His silence has been noted widely in Pakistani media. The case puts him in an extraordinarily difficult position: any comment risks being seen as interference in an investigation involving his own family; silence risks being seen as indifference to a brutal crime against two foreign nationals. What This Means For Pakistan The arrest comes at a time when Pakistan is actively courting foreign investment and attempting to repair its international image. Two foreign women, invited to the country on business visas, were allegedly abducted, assaulted, and held for a ransom of $1.5 million within hours of arriving in Lahore. That this crime involved the grandson of the sitting Foreign Minister adds a layer of political exposure that Pakistan can ill afford. Calls have grown louder for a transparent and independent investigation, precisely because the involvement of a powerful political family makes the risk of interference obvious. What Pakistan does next, particularly with the ‘Boss’ still at large, will say a great deal about whether those calls are heard.

Muhammad Raza Dar, grandson of Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, has been arrested along with three other men for allegedly abducting and gang-raping two foreign women, one Dutch, one Venezuelan, in Lahore on June 29. The victims were lured to Pakistan through a cryptocurrency deal that began in Singapore. A ransom of $1.5 million was demanded. A Lahore court has granted five days of police remand. But it is the fifth accused, a mysterious figure referred to only as ‘Boss’ in the FIR, who Pakistani social media says could deliver the real shock.

'Gang-rape, $1.5m ransom': Meet Pakistan's Foreign Minister, whose grandson allegedly abducted two foreign women in Lahore

A high-profile scandal has erupted in Pakistan, shaking the halls of power in Islamabad. Muhammad Raza Dar, a relative of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, has been arrested by Lahore Police on charges of abducting and gang-raping two foreign nationals.  


Ishaq Dar's grandson booked for alleged abduction & rape in Lahore

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Munir gets Trump's backing to attack Afghanistan even after killing of civilians

The grandson of Pakistan’s deputy prime minister Ishaq Dar has been arrested along with four other suspects for the alleged abduction and gangrape of two women foreigners in Lahore, police said on Friday. One accused in absconding.&nbsp;&nbsp;The suspects, identified as Muhammad Raza Dar, Hassan Raza, Sikandar Khan and Sajid Ali, were sent to five-day police remand by a Lahore court.&nbsp;Raza Dar, identified as the prime suspect, is the grandson of Pakistan’s deputy PM and foreign minister Ishaq Dar.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistan-s-politicians-and-military-not-india-big-part-of-its-problems-says-singapore-s-ex-envoy-1783084062494">‘Pakistan’s politicians and military, not India, big part of its problems,’ says Singapore’s ex-envoy</a>&nbsp;“Since it is a very sensitive matter as a close relative of Deputy PM Ishaq Dar is involved in this high-profile case, police are investigating it from all aspects,” a police officer said.&nbsp;The foreign nationals, one from the Netherlands and the other from Venezuela, were allegedly abducted and gangraped by five men in Lahore on June 29. The accused aggressively assaulted the women, subjected them to severe physical abuse, and demanded a ransom of $1.5 million.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/we-are-all-extremely-pained-and-angered-rss-says-ram-temple-trust-must-rectify-all-shortcomings-1783074551640">‘We are all extremely pained and angered’: RSS says Ram Temple trust must rectify all shortcomings</a>&nbsp;The accused allegedly threatened to kill them and sell their body parts if the demand was not met. The ordeal ended when one of the victims managed to contact her father in the Netherlands, who immediately alerted the Lahore Police, leading to a rescue operation.&nbsp;The police rescued the women after receiving a call from Spain from the father of one of the victims.&nbsp;One of the women told police that upon arrival in Lahore, Raza Dar and the other suspects abducted them and took them to a house where they allegedly gangraped them and demanded ransom for their release.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/four-venezuelan-police-officers-arrested-for-alleged-looting-from-rubble-face-sacking-1782929474466">Four Venezuelan police officers arrested for alleged looting from rubble, face sacking</a>&nbsp;Lahore police on Thursday registered a case against five suspects and arrested four of them under sections 365A (kidnapping) and 375A (gang rape) of the Pakistan Penal Code.&nbsp;The fifth accused is absconding, and raids are underway to arrest him, police said.&nbsp;The women told police that they met Raza Dar in Singapore in October 2025, and he invited them to visit Pakistan.&nbsp;The women and Raza Dar were partners in a cryptocurrency venture.&nbsp;According to a court official, Raza Dar was identified by the women as the “prime suspect” when all the four accused were produced before a magistrate.&nbsp;The complainants also alleged that they were secretly filmed and later blackmailed using those recordings.

The foreign nationals, one from the Netherlands and the other from Venezuela, were allegedly abducted and gangraped by five men in Lahore on June 29. The accused subjected the women to severe physical abuse and demanded a ransom of $1.5 million.

The grandson of Pakistan’s deputy prime minister Ishaq Dar has been arrested along with four other suspects for the alleged abduction and gangrape of two women foreigners in Lahore, police said on Friday. One accused in absconding. The suspects, identified as Muhammad Raza Dar, Hassan Raza, Sikandar Khan and Sajid Ali, were sent to five-day police remand by a Lahore court. Raza Dar, identified as the prime suspect, is the grandson of Pakistan’s deputy PM and foreign minister Ishaq Dar. Also Read: ‘Pakistan’s politicians and military, not India, big part of its problems,’ says Singapore’s ex-envoy “Since it is a very sensitive matter as a close relative of Deputy PM Ishaq Dar is involved in this high-profile case, police are investigating it from all aspects,” a police officer said. The foreign nationals, one from the Netherlands and the other from Venezuela, were allegedly abducted and gangraped by five men in Lahore on June 29. The accused aggressively assaulted the women, subjected them to severe physical abuse, and demanded a ransom of $1.5 million. Also Read: ‘We are all extremely pained and angered’: RSS says Ram Temple trust must rectify all shortcomings The accused allegedly threatened to kill them and sell their body parts if the demand was not met. The ordeal ended when one of the victims managed to contact her father in the Netherlands, who immediately alerted the Lahore Police, leading to a rescue operation. The police rescued the women after receiving a call from Spain from the father of one of the victims. One of the women told police that upon arrival in Lahore, Raza Dar and the other suspects abducted them and took them to a house where they allegedly gangraped them and demanded ransom for their release. Also Read: Four Venezuelan police officers arrested for alleged looting from rubble, face sacking Lahore police on Thursday registered a case against five suspects and arrested four of them under sections 365A (kidnapping) and 375A (gang rape) of the Pakistan Penal Code. The fifth accused is absconding, and raids are underway to arrest him, police said. The women told police that they met Raza Dar in Singapore in October 2025, and he invited them to visit Pakistan. The women and Raza Dar were partners in a cryptocurrency venture. According to a court official, Raza Dar was identified by the women as the “prime suspect” when all the four accused were produced before a magistrate. The complainants also alleged that they were secretly filmed and later blackmailed using those recordings.

The foreign nationals, one from the Netherlands and the other from Venezuela, were allegedly abducted and gangraped by five men in Lahore on June 29. The accused subjected the women to severe physical abuse and demanded a ransom of $1.5 million.

Pakistan Deputy PM Ishaq Dar’s grandson arrested for abduction, gangrape of two women foreigners in Lahore

Singapore's former envoy and veteran diplomat Bilahari Kausikan has said that Pakistan’s recent diplomatic gains and bonhomie with Washington will not address the economic crisis of the country, which he called “a state teetering on the brink of failure”. Replying to a question from a Pakistani reporter at a global forum, he said that Pakistan’s problem is not India, but rather its own politicians and the military.&nbsp;Kausikan, a former ambassador-at-large in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore, said Pakistan may have repaired its global image by mediating the US-Iran interim peace agreement but has done little to repair the crisis within.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/we-are-all-extremely-pained-and-angered-rss-says-ram-temple-trust-must-rectify-all-shortcomings-1783074551640">‘We are all extremely pained and angered’: RSS says Ram Temple trust must rectify all shortcomings</a>&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">&quot;If Pakistan does not fix its problems, it will always be on the brink of state failure. Everyone is worried about it because you have nuclear weapons. If Pakistan did not have nuclear weapons, no one would care,&quot; says former Singapore Ambassador Bilahari Kausikan…&mdash; GeoPanda (@Geotactix) <a href="https://x.com/Geotactix/status/2072937749645238663?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;&nbsp;Referring to Islamabad’s efforts in the US-Iran war mediation, the veteran diplomat said, “I’ll be very blunt. Pakistan was very agile and very successful in taking advantage of a diplomatic opportunity, and that has gone some way to rehabilitate Pakistan diplomatically in the eyes of the US, anyway.”&nbsp;“But you know, that doesn’t feed the Pakistani people,” he said wryly while indicating its deep economic crisis.He further said that the current global attention towards Pakistan is purely driven by international anxiety.The Pakistani government has repeatedly prided itself on its geopolitical achievements linked to its efforts in bringing the US-Iran military conflict to a halt.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-will-avenge-the-blood-of-ali-khamenei-iran-army-ahead-of-state-funeral-of-former-supreme-leader-1783084776018">'We will avenge the blood of Ali Khamenei': Iran army ahead of state funeral of former supreme leader</a><h2>‘Pakistan’s problem is not India or Afghanistan’</h2>&nbsp;When a Pakistani journalist at the conference suggested that much of Islamabad’s troubles stem from its borders with India and Afghanistan, the veteran diplomat junked Pakistan’s old game of playing the victim card.“You cannot blame location on everything. That’s an excuse,” Kausikan said, adding that Pakistan’s crisis is of its own making by its politicians, whom he called a “waste of time”, and the military.“Pakistan has been mismanaged terribly since the beginning. I don’t see any solution. Its politicians are a waste of time, all of them, regardless of parties, and the military is a big part of the problem,” he said.Pakistan has been directly governed by its military for nearly half of its history.&nbsp;<h2>‘State teetering on the brink of failure’</h2>&nbsp;When asked by a journalist where Pakistan could be in the next five years, Kausikan described it as “a state teetering on the brink of failure” and said that the recent diplomatic gains would not change the country’s structural problems or significantly improve its ties with the United States.&nbsp;“The diplomatic success doesn’t change that fundamental reality,” he said.&nbsp;Pakistan continues to face a severe economic crisis and remains dependent on financial assistance and bailouts from international institutions like the World Bank and the IMF to manage its debt.

When asked where Pakistan could be in the next five years, former envoy Bilahari Kausikan described it as “a state teetering on the brink of failure” and said that the recent diplomatic gains would not change the country’s structural problems or significantly improve its ties with the US.

Singapore's former envoy and veteran diplomat Bilahari Kausikan has said that Pakistan’s recent diplomatic gains and bonhomie with Washington will not address the economic crisis of the country, which he called “a state teetering on the brink of failure”. Replying to a question from a Pakistani reporter at a global forum, he said that Pakistan’s problem is not India, but rather its own politicians and the military. Kausikan, a former ambassador-at-large in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore, said Pakistan may have repaired its global image by mediating the US-Iran interim peace agreement but has done little to repair the crisis within. Also Read: ‘We are all extremely pained and angered’: RSS says Ram Temple trust must rectify all shortcomings

When asked where Pakistan could be in the next five years, former envoy Bilahari Kausikan described it as “a state teetering on the brink of failure” and said that the recent diplomatic gains would not change the country’s structural problems or significantly improve its ties with the US.

‘Pakistan’s politicians and military, not India, big part of its problems,’ says Singapore’s ex-envoy

The U.S. State Department said on Thursday that Washington "supports Pakistan's right to defend itself against ​terrorist attacks" as an intermittent conflict between Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan ‌continues. At least 28 civilians were killed after Pakistan launched air strikes in Afghan provinces along its border on Sunday, the United Nations Afghan mission has said.

Afghan-Pak war: US backs Pakistan after strikes on Afghanistan

The Pakistan Cricket Board on Thursday inked an agreement with Saudi Arabia to build a modern cricket stadium in Jeddah. The agreement was signed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi and Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation (SACF) chief Saud bin Mishal bin Mohammad Al Saud.

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan sign major cricket deal 

India has strongly condemned the alleged demolition of the 125-year-old Gurdwara Singh Sabha in Pakistan's Punjab province, calling it a "highly deplorable and targeted" act of vandalism. The MEA has urged Islamabad to investigate the incident, bring those responsible to justice, and ensure the protection of minority religious sites. The historic Sikh shrine in Farooqabad was reportedly reduced to rubble, sparking outrage and renewed concerns over the safety of religious heritage sites in Pakistan.


India slams Pak over demolition of 125-year-old gurdwara

The crisis in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) has reached a boiling point. As civilian unrest enters its fourth consecutive week, prominent opposition voices are now openly condemning the Pakistani state, comparing the recent security crackdown to a "massacre."

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