Lahore : In a significant ruling, the Lahore High Court (LHC) has upheld the death sentences of two convicts in the high-profile Lahore Motorway gangrape case, rejecting their appeals. The decision was announced on June 3, 2026, and is being seen as an important moment in Pakistan’s justice and human rights discourse.
The case dates back to September 9, 2020, when a woman—reported to be of Pakistani origin living in France—was traveling with her three children on the Lahore-Sialkot Motorway. During the journey, her vehicle ran out of fuel, leaving her stranded late at night while she waited inside the car for assistance.
According to the prosecution, two armed men arrived at the scene, broke the car window, forcibly dragged the woman out, and gang-raped her at gunpoint in front of her children. The attackers also allegedly robbed her of cash, jewelry, and other belongings before fleeing the scene.
Following an investigation, police arrested the two accused—Abid Malhi and Shafqat Ali. In March 2021, an anti-terrorism court sentenced them to death along with multiple additional prison terms for other charges.
The Lahore High Court has now dismissed their appeals, confirming the trial court’s verdict and maintaining the death penalty.
The incident had triggered widespread outrage both in Pakistan and internationally, raising serious concerns about women’s safety and the effectiveness of the justice system. Human rights groups strongly condemned the crime and called for stricter enforcement of laws to protect women.
The case also drew reactions on social media, with various global personalities, including Elon Musk, reportedly commenting on the incident at the time.