Lahore Police have registered a case and launched an investigation after a 20-year-old Azerbaijani woman alleged that she was sexually assaulted, intoxicated and robbed by unidentified men after being taken to an undisclosed location in Lahore’s Defence area.
According to the First Information Report (FIR), the case was registered at Defence (C) Police Station on September 26, 2026, under Sections 375-A and 337-J of the Pakistan Penal Code. The complainant is an Azerbaijani national who was reportedly visiting Pakistan for business purposes.
According to her statement recorded in the FIR, the alleged incident took place during the night between September 25 and 26. The woman told police that she had gone to a cafe with two unidentified women before being allegedly taken away by three unidentified men on the pretext of going for a drive.
The complainant further alleged that an intoxicating substance was administered to her before she was sexually assaulted. She said the suspects later abandoned her near Ghazi Interchange at around 4am on September 26.
The woman also alleged that the suspects took two mobile phones belonging to her before leaving the area. After being abandoned near the interchange, she reportedly sought assistance from a passerby and used the person’s mobile phone to contact the police emergency helpline.
She subsequently approached police and submitted a written application seeking legal action against those responsible.
Police officials said investigators have obtained CCTV footage from the reported crime scene and other relevant locations. The footage is being examined to establish the movements and identities of the people allegedly involved.
Special police teams have been formed to trace the suspects, while investigators are also using available technical evidence as part of the investigation. Police confirmed that the required legal procedures, including the medical examination of the complainant, have been completed.
Authorities have also facilitated contact between the woman and the relevant Azerbaijani embassy so that consular assistance can be provided during the investigation.
Investigators are examining the woman’s movements before and after the alleged incident and are attempting to identify the two women who were reportedly accompanying her at the cafe. CCTV footage from the cafe, nearby roads, commercial areas and other relevant locations is also being reviewed.
Technical evidence is being analysed to assist investigators in tracing the mobile phones allegedly taken from the complainant and identifying individuals who may have been involved.
Police said the investigation would continue according to law and that further legal action would be taken after the available evidence is collected and examined. No arrests had been officially announced at the time of filing the report.
The allegations recorded in the FIR have not been independently established in court. The complainant’s statement is part of the ongoing investigation, while responsibility will ultimately be determined on the basis of evidence and subsequent proceedings before the relevant authorities and courts.
