Lahore police arrest bike rider accused of harassing passenger

Lahore police have arrested an online motorcycle ride-hailing rider accused of harassing a female passenger in the Johar Town area, an incident in which the woman jumped off the moving motorcycle and was injured in the face, arms and other parts of her body.

Dawn reported that police said they had traced and arrested the rider. The incident took place a few days ago after the woman booked a ride from F-2 in Johar Town, according to the report, and CCTV footage of her jumping from the moving motorcycle went viral on social media on Monday night.

ProPakistani reported that Nawab Town police registered a first information report on the complaint of the woman's brother. According to the FIR, the rider harassed the passenger during the journey despite her repeatedly asking him to stop. A police official told the outlet that investigators traced the suspect, identified as Naeem, through the motorcycle's registration number, and that the rider had fled the scene after the woman jumped off.

Dawn reported that the biker allegedly attempted an inappropriate act with the woman, prompting her to jump from the moving motorcycle.

Neither report said what charges were included in the FIR, whether the suspect has been produced before a court, or whether police have sought records from the ride-hailing company concerned. Police have not announced any further action in the case beyond the arrest.

The case drew public attention after the footage circulated online for hours, with users identifying the location as Johar Town and calling for action against the rider.

Complaints about passenger safety on app-based motorcycle ride services have surfaced in Lahore and other cities in recent years. Such vehicles are identified mainly by registration number and riders carry no visible identification for passengers to check before boarding.