LahorePolice dropped rape charges against 5 of 8 suspects.
One of the 5 is reportedly linked to a senior minister, and the complainants are 2 foreign women.
The report still charges all 5 with illegal detention and extortion, and was filed before forensic results arrived.
Defence lawyer Salman Shahid says police made his low-paid clients scapegoats and favoured the key suspects.
Judge Rafaqat Ali Gondal hears the case on 11 November.
How each outlet framed it
- Dawn leans critical
- details the split charge sheet: five suspects cleared of rape but charged with kidnapping and extortion; three low-paid aides charged with assault
Sources: Dawn