Punjab Vows to Pursue Azeri Woman Case Despite Victim’s U-Turn

The Punjab government will pursue the Azeri woman case with the state as complainant, even though the victim has said in video statements that she no longer wants to press charges.

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari said on Friday that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had directed the government to keep the case alive. She was speaking on the television programme Aaj Shahzaib Khanzada Kay Sath after videos of the victim, Diana, began circulating on social media.

In the videos, apparently recorded on October 9, Diana says her earlier statement was given under pressure and asks for the case to be closed. In a second video she repeats the claim, says she was told her life was in danger, and adds that she was forcibly sent out of Pakistan.

Bukhari rejected the idea that the case could simply be dropped. She said the chief minister believed the state should stand as the complainant in cases involving crimes against women and children. “Until and unless these powerful people are made an example of, such crimes cannot be eliminated,” she said.

Maryam alleges bribe offer to victim

Earlier on Friday, CM Maryam alleged in a post on X that the family of a suspect had offered the victim Rs15-20 million to withdraw her allegations, though her Section 164 statement was already recorded before a judicial magistrate. She also alleged the judge who granted bail was bribed.

“If these allegations are true, they raise deeply disturbing questions about the integrity of the justice system,” Maryam wrote. “Justice must never be for sale, and no one should be above the law,” she added.

Police warn against influencing probe

As the videos spread, Lahore police warned against attempts to influence the investigation through social media. Deputy Inspector General (Investigation) Syed Zeeshan Raza said the woman’s Section 164 statement, recorded before a judicial magistrate, could not be undone by a video clip.

Raza said the woman had named three suspects in her judicial statement, and two arrested suspects had acknowledged the third suspect’s alleged involvement. The case will be completed on merit, he said.

Background of the Azeri woman case

The case was registered at Defence C Police Station in September after the woman alleged that three men assaulted her at an apartment in a private housing society near Raiwind on the night of September 25-26. She had arrived in Lahore on a business trip.

On September 28, she recorded her statement before a judicial magistrate at the Cantonment Courts. Police then identified the suspects and made arrests. A sessions court had extended the primary suspect’s interim pre-arrest bail until October 27, but police arrested him outside the court premises, and his counsel has challenged the arrest.

What “state as complainant” means for the case

Maryam’s position, that the state itself should prosecute, carries legal weight. Under the Code of Criminal Procedure, the state can pursue criminal cases even when a private complainant withdraws, particularly where a judicial statement under Section 164 is already on record. Such a statement, recorded before a magistrate, remains admissible evidence regardless of later videos or retractions.

Feature Pakistan has followed the Azeri woman case from its early stages, reporting when a woman was sent on physical remand in the case, when a Lahore court extended the remand of two suspects, and when the victim was sent back home under police escort.

Frequently asked questions

Will the victim’s video end the case?

No. Police say the Section 164 statement recorded before a judicial magistrate cannot be undone by a social media video, and the Punjab government says the state will pursue the case on merit.

What are the bribery allegations?

CM Maryam alleged the suspect’s family offered the victim Rs15-20 million to withdraw her allegations and claimed the judge who granted bail was bribed. Both remain unverified allegations.

What is the status of the suspects?

Two suspects are in custody and, according to Lahore police, have acknowledged the third suspect’s alleged involvement. The primary suspect was arrested outside court despite extended pre-arrest bail, and his counsel has challenged the arrest.