ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency has busted an alleged illegal kidney trade network operating in Islamabad and arrested nine suspects, including a prominent urologist and an employee of a private hospital.
According to FIA officials, the arrests were made during a raid conducted by the FIA Anti-Corruption Circle Islamabad Zone at a well-known private hospital in the federal capital. Investigators claimed the facility was being used for unlawful kidney transplantation procedures and illegal organ trafficking activities.
Officials said the detained doctor and hospital employee were among the key figures running the network. Several other individuals found at the hospital, including suspected donors, recipients and staff members, were also taken into custody for questioning and shifted to FIA offices for investigation.
The crackdown was carried out under the directions of Mohsin Naqvi, FIA Director General Usman Anwar and Islamabad Zone Director Syed Shahzad Nadeem Bukhari.
According to investigators, the illegal kidney trade network specifically targeted poor and financially distressed people from underdeveloped districts of southern Punjab, including Rahim Yar Khan and Dera Ghazi Khan. FIA officials alleged that the suspects convinced vulnerable individuals to sell their kidneys for small amounts of money before the organs were sold to wealthy recipients for much higher prices.
Authorities believe the network may have been operating for an extended period and could involve additional facilitators linked to hospitals and medical centres. Officials said the investigation has now been expanded to identify more suspects connected to the illegal organ trade in Pakistan.
The FIA confirmed that further raids are under way in different areas to arrest other members of the network. The agency also stated that strict legal action would be taken against all those involved in illegal kidney transplantation and human organ trafficking.
Illegal organ trade remains a serious issue in Pakistan, with authorities repeatedly warning against exploitation of poor citizens through unlawful medical procedures and unregistered transplant operations.
