Pakistan deputy PM’s grandson held for kidnapping Dutch woman

The grandson of Pakistan’s deputy prime minister has been arrested on suspicion of kidnapping and torturing a Dutch crypto entrepreneur and her Venezuelan business partner, triggering a political storm in Pakistan.

The 35-year-old woman from Zaanstad had travelled to Pakistan in late June to meet potential investors at the invitation of Muhammad Raza Dar, a businessman and grandson of deputy prime minister Ishaq Dar. She had met him in Singapore in October 2025, according to her statement to police.

She and her business partner were driven to Lahore on June 29 for what they were told was a birthday party, but the house was empty. Four armed men tied them up, beat them and demanded money.

They were held for almost three days, during which they were repeatedly raped and forced to contact relatives to demand a ransom.

The Dutch woman used a pre-agreed code word in a voice message to her family, who alerted the police. According to reports, the kidnappers demanded various sums, ranging up to $2 million (€1.75 million).

Escape and aftermath
The women escaped when the car supposedly taking them to the airport crashed into another vehicle. They jumped out, ran to a nearby garage and were picked up by police, who later arrested four suspects, including Raza Dar. A fifth, described in the police report only as “Boss”, is still at large.

The four are being held on kidnapping and gang rape charges and are due back in court on July 8.

The case has caused uproar in Pakistan. Senator Faisal Vawda has demanded the resignation of the deputy prime minister and foreign minister Ishaq Dar, saying Pakistan is being run “like a family corporation” and accusing the government of trying to suppress the case. Dar, one of prime minister Shehbaz Sharif’s closest allies, has not commented.

The Dutch foreign ministry told the Telegraaf it is aware of the case and providing consular assistance.