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Global Headlines Pakistan court upholds death penalty in 2020 motorway gang-rape case involving French-Pakistani woman
Just Earth News | @justearthnews | 04 Jun 2026, 06:24 am Print
Pakistan Lahore High Court. Photo: Wikimedia Commons/Mariyam Aftab
The Lahore High Court has upheld the death sentences of two men convicted of gang-raping a French-Pakistani woman in front of her three children after her vehicle ran out of fuel on a motorway near Lahore in 2020.
The court dismissed appeals filed by the convicts, Abid Ali and Shafqat Ali, against a 2021 verdict delivered by an anti-terrorism court.
The ruling means the death penalties imposed on both men will remain in force.
The decision marks a significant legal milestone in a case that sparked nationwide outrage, mass protests and renewed debate over violence against women in Pakistan.
Lahore HC rejects convicts' appeals
The two convicts had challenged their convictions and sentences, arguing that there were procedural shortcomings and inconsistencies in the prosecution's case.
Their legal team also questioned the reliability of the evidence presented during the trial.
However, prosecutors maintained that the case was supported by strong forensic and investigative evidence.
They argued that the trial court had thoroughly examined all available material before delivering its verdict.
After reviewing the case, the Lahore High Court rejected the appeals and upheld the original punishment handed down by the anti-terrorism court.
2020 motorway gang-rape
The case dates back to September 9, 2020, when the French-Pakistani woman was travelling with her three children on the Lahore-Sialkot Motorway late at night.
According to investigators, her vehicle ran out of fuel, leaving the family stranded by the roadside.
The woman remained inside the locked vehicle while waiting for assistance.
Court findings stated that the attackers smashed a window, dragged her from the car and raped her at gunpoint in front of her children.
The assailants also stole cash, jewellery and bank cards before fleeing the scene.
The brutal attack shocked Pakistan and generated widespread condemnation across the country.
DNA evidence, mobile data linked suspects to crime
Investigators identified and arrested the suspects within days of the attack.
Authorities used mobile phone data to trace the accused and later relied on DNA evidence collected from the crime scene to establish links between the suspects and the assault.
Investigators said the survivor identified both men during legal proceedings.
One of the convicts, Shafqat Ali, reportedly also confessed before a magistrate.
The forensic evidence and witness testimony played a key role in securing convictions against the two men.
Death sentence in 2021
In March 2021, an anti-terrorism court found Abid Ali and Shafqat Ali guilty of gang rape, kidnapping, robbery and terrorism-related offences.
The court sentenced both men to death. It also imposed life imprisonment and additional prison terms for various offences connected to the attack.
The convictions were regarded as a major development in one of Pakistan's most closely watched criminal cases.
Public anger and controversial police remarks
The crime triggered protests across Pakistan, with demonstrators demanding swift justice for the victim.
Public anger intensified following remarks made by then Lahore police chief Umer Sheikh, who questioned why the woman had been travelling at night and suggested she should have taken a different route.
The comments drew widespread criticism and were viewed by many as placing responsibility on the victim rather than the perpetrators.
Protesters also called for Sheikh's removal from the investigation following the controversy.
Elon Musk's reaction draws attention
The Lahore High Court's decision also attracted international attention after comments attributed to billionaire entrepreneur and X owner Elon Musk circulated widely on social media.
The reaction followed a post on X by Rupert Lowe, who shared a screenshot of a report about the verdict and wrote: "Some good news to come out of Pakistan."
Responding to the post, Musk wrote: "Bravo Pakistan! This is what we should be doing in the West."
His remarks quickly gained traction online as news of the court's ruling spread internationally.
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