———- Busts nine including doctor
By U.Zee
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Anti-Corruption Circle Islamabad Zone unearthed an alleged illegal organ trade network and arrested nine suspects, including a prominent urologist and a private hospital employee, during an ongoing crackdown against unlawful kidney transplantation.
An official told on Wednesday that the arrests were made during investigation into a kidney trafficking scandal involving illegal extraction and transplantation of human kidneys.
He said an FIA team conducted a raid at a private hospital in Islamabad where illegal kidney transplant procedures were allegedly being carried out.
The official said the arrested suspects included a doctor, a hospital employee, alleged donors, recipients and other individuals linked to the network.
According to the official, all suspects were shifted to FIA offices for further interrogation and legal proceedings.
He said investigations revealed that the network was allegedly targeting financially vulnerable people from underdeveloped areas of South Punjab, particularly Rahim Yar Khan and Dera Ghazi Khan.
The official said poor individuals were allegedly persuaded to sell kidneys for small amounts, while the organs were later sold for huge profits through illegal channels.
He said the scope of investigation had been expanded and raids were being conducted to arrest other members and facilitators of the network.
The official added that FIA remained committed to taking strict action against illegal organ trade, human exploitation and organized criminal networks operating in the country.
