Mastermind of honey trap case arrested

Social media on fire over leaked videos, controversies

LAHORE:

The alleged mastermind behind the honey trap case involving writer and playwright Khalilur Rehman Qamar has been arrested by the police.

The Organized Crime Unit (OCU) of Lahore Police apprehended the prime suspect, Hassan Shah, from Peshawar.

Shah is accused of leaking indecent videos of Qamar with another accused, Amna Arooj.

The videos, reportedly over an hour long, were filmed using hidden mobile cameras installed in a room. The footage shows Qamar engaging in intimate activities with the woman.

In another clip, suspects can be seen and heard discussing the installation of the hidden cameras.

Rafiq, an accomplice of Hassan Shah, has also been apprehended. Both individuals have a history of criminal activities.

Hassan Shah has six cases registered against him in Nankana Sahib district, including charges of abduction, electricity theft, torture, and other offenses. Rafiq, meanwhile, has been a proclaimed offender in a murder case in Lahore.

The case came to light when, eleven days ago, Khalilur Rehman Qamar filed an FIR at Sundar Police Station. He alleged that he was abducted, tortured, and robbed after being honey-trapped by a woman on July 15. According to the FIR, Qamar received repeated calls from a woman who introduced herself as Amna Arooj from England, claiming to be a fan interested in collaborating on a drama project.

She invited him to a location, where seven armed men later entered the room, snatched his belongings, and demanded a ransom of Rs10 million. When Qamar informed them that he didn't have the money, they threatened him with dire consequences.

Qamar recounted how the suspects forced him to call a relative to arrange for one million rupees, but the relative refused, citing a lack of funds.

The suspects then drove him to a deserted location, where they threatened to shoot him. The ordeal ended with Qamar being released after the police arrested over 10 members of the gang, including Arooj.

During a press conference, Qamar, escorted by DIG OCU Imran Kishwar, clarified that his late-night meeting with the suspect was for a business deal, asserting that such meetings were routine in the showbiz industry. He dismissed any other interpretations of the incident, stating that doctors had advised him to avoid going out during daylight.

Khalilur Rehman Qamar, a well-known playwright, scriptwriter, and lyricist, has often been in the media spotlight for his misogynistic views and controversial remarks, particularly around International Women's Day (March 8).

Memes and old clips of Qamar advising women to abduct men to assert equality have gone viral, reigniting debates about his double standards.