In yet another shocking incident, a driver from the InDrive service allegedly sexually assaulted a female passenger in Lahore in the presence of her friend, raising concerns about the safety of women using both online and offline transport options.
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The police, after registering a case based on the victim’s complaint, have launched a manhunt to apprehend the suspect using a partial vehicle registration number provided by the victim.
According to the first information report (FIR), the driver dropped off the woman and her friend at their home after completing the ride, but instead of leaving, he followed them into the house to commit the alleged crime.
What began as an ordinary ride home with a friend turned into a nightmare the victim could never have imagined.
As detailed in the police complaint, the victim had booked the InDrive ride after an evening out with her friend, expecting a safe and convenient journey home — a routine choice for many commuters in Pakistan.
However, as the ride ended, and the driver dropped them off at the victim’s house, he asked for a glass of water. Unaware of the danger, the woman went inside to get water, leaving the door open behind her — a decision that, according to the FIR, proved to be tragic.
The driver allegedly forced his way into the house and assaulted the victim while her friend looked on in horror, unable to intervene.
The complaint also states that the victim’s parents, who were nearby, soon arrived and confronted the alleged assailant, physically restraining him in an attempt to avoid drawing attention due to the sensitive nature of the situation.
However, to spare the victim further trauma and avoid the dishonor such incidents bring in a conservative society like Pakistan, they eventually allowed the suspect to flee.
This incident underscores the vulnerability that many women face daily, even in places they consider safe and familiar.
It also highlights the urgent need for improved safety measures, stricter regulations, and thorough background checks for service providers in the online ride-hailing industry.
In a related incident from September 2020, two robbers allegedly gang-raped a woman in front of her children after her car broke down on the Lahore-Sialkot motorway. Despite calling for help, she received no immediate assistance from the authorities, leading to the tragic event.
Data released in 2023 by the Sustainable Social Development Organisation (SSDO) shows that rape cases in Punjab remain a significant concern. A total of 6,624 rape cases were reported across the province in 2023, meaning a woman was raped approximately every 45 minutes. Faisalabad was the most affected district with 728 cases, followed closely by Lahore (721) and Sargodha (398).
