ISLAMABAD : Monitoring Desk – The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) conducted a raid at Quaid-e-Azam International Hospital in the federal capital and uncovered an illegal kidney trafficking and transplant network. FIA detained 15 suspects, including doctors, hospital staff, and the HR manager involved in kidney transplant operations, multiple reports surfaced in Pakistani media outlets including Capital News Point Dot Com in this regard.
Separate cases have been registered against the accused. However, after negotiations, only six suspects were formally arrested while others were released. The arrested suspects were presented before the court, and FIA obtained a two-day physical remand. Raids are ongoing to arrest other accused persons, including hospital owner Dr. Shaukat Bangash.
According to the FIA Anti-Corruption Circle, Islamabad Zone, the operation exposed a major illegal organ trade network.
Among those arrested were renowned urologist Dr. Nadir, Dr. Najam, and Quaid-e-Azam International Hospital HR Manager Adil Shirazi, who are considered key figures in the network.
Journalist Ehsan Bukhari reported , the hospital’s CEO, Sadaqat Ali Baig, was also taken into custody but was later released. Dr. Nadir, a kidney specialist who also works at Sheikh Zayed Hospital, had reportedly arrived in Islamabad for a surgery and was arrested during the raid.
When the suspects were presented before the court, defense lawyers argued that FIA had not even provided copies of the FIRs. FIA officials informed the court that more suspects were yet to be arrested and therefore details could not be disclosed at that stage.
The defense maintained that Dr. Nadir had no connection to the alleged network and had only come for a scheduled operation. Despite these arguments, the court approved a five-day remand of the accused in FIA custody.
Sources revealed that FIA had initially detained 15 individuals during the raid. Authorities are continuing raids to arrest hospital owner Dr. Shaukat Bangash, who remains at large.
In another statement, the FIA Anti-Corruption Circle Islamabad said that nine suspects linked to the illegal buying, selling, and transplantation of human kidneys had been arrested. These included a well-known urologist and hospital employee Adil Shirazi, described as central figures in the network.
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According to sources, FIA investigators raided a prominent private hospital in Islamabad where illegal kidney extraction surgeries were allegedly being carried out. During the raid, several individuals, including suspected donors, recipients, and hospital staff, were taken into custody and shifted to FIA offices for further investigation.
Authorities stated that earlier arrests had also been made from a larger network targeting poor people from underdeveloped districts of South Punjab, especially Rahim Yar Khan and Dera Ghazi Khan. The accused allegedly persuaded financially struggling individuals to sell their kidneys for small amounts, while the organs were later sold at much higher prices.
Officials confirmed that the scope of the investigation has been expanded and further raids are underway to arrest other members of the network. The FIA’s action has been widely appreciated by the public.
Earlier in May 2017, FIA busted a gang of doctors including Dr Fawad, Dr Zafar and Dr Altamash over illegal kidney transplant in Lahore, Gujrat, Mirpur Azad Kashmir and in other cities.
Their facilitators Saqib and Fazail were arrested from Murree. They disclosed that foreign nationals Jordanian, Libyan, Saudi, and Omani came to Pakistan for illegal kidney transplantation and stayed in Hotel Masonnite Gulberg Lahore and Hotel One Hussain Chowk Lahore.
Accused Fazail Ashfaq arrested from Murree disclosed that he used to perform the duty of performer and booked the rooms for them in above said hotels. He also revealed that he used to make medical tests of foreigners including cross check and tissue from Harmoon Laboratory, opposite to Jinnah Hospital.
Zafar who was serving as anesthesia specialist at Mayo Hospital Lahore. He fled away and went to his native district Sanghar, Sindh. FIA corporate crime circle Lahore team apprehended him. FIA conducted raids at hotels and medical laboratories in the city, took their records into custody to trace the arrival of foreigners for illegal kidney transplant in Pakistan.
Lady agent Safia Bibi already arrested in above said case and confessed to the crime and said that she used to arrange donors for the foreigners. Illegal kidney transplantations were carried out by Dr Fawad Mumtaz Khan and Dr Altamash with OTA at Bahria Town, Aab Para scheme and planning and development housing society Lahore.
One of the foreign nationals Jordanian Salma was expired during illegal kidney transplantation carried out by Dr Fawad Mumtaz Khan and Dr Altamash. His fake death certificate was managed and prepared by Dr Altamash from Farooq Hospital Thokar Niaz baig Lahore.
His dead body was kept in Adil Hospital Lahore and sent back to his home by Dr Altamash.
