Pakistan deputy PM Ishaq Dar faces heat over grandson's arrest in rape case

New Delhi: Pakistan's Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is facing flak and demands for his removal have intensified after his grandson Muhammad Raza Dar was arrested over charges of abduction and rape of two foreign nationals.

Two women -- one from the Netherlands and the other from Venezuela -- were allegedly abducted by a group of men on June 29 and gang raped in Lahore, according to Pakistani media reports. Police have arrested four men, while one is absconding. They were sent to five-day police custody by a Lahore court last Friday. One of the arrested men, Muhammad Raza Dar, was identified as the prime suspect in the case, it has been learnt.

Muhammad Raza Dar, chief accused in the case, had met the victims in Singapore and was partners in a cryptocurrency venture. Later, he arranged visas for the duo to visit Pakistan, it is learnt. It may be noted here that Islamabad is trying to position itself as a centre for cryptocurrency and has entered into crypto business deals with key American figures.


Following the arrest of Dar, politicians in Pakistan have demanded the resignation of the DyPM. Pakistani Senator Faisal Vawda wrote on X over the weekend, "He (Raza Dar) was arrested only after the intervention of the relevant foreign embassy. After such serious allegations, how can Ishaq Dar continue to represent Pakistan before the world as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister? If there is any concern for Pakistan and its international image, Ishaq Dar should resign immediately."

The Pakistani Deputy PM is yet to issue a public statement.