In a significant crackdown against the illicit trade of human organs, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Punjab Police, and Punjab Human Organ Transplant Authority (PHOTA) collaborated to dismantle two separate gangs involved in illegal kidney transplants in Lahore.
Following a complaint from PHOTA, FIA initiated an operation targeting a group of doctors suspected of conducting illegal kidney transplants at a private clinic in the Mozang area of the city. Led by Assistant Director Gul Shahnaz, a team comprising Sub Inspectors Imtiaz Niazi and Akram Sindhu, raided the clinic and apprehended four doctors allegedly complicit in the illicit activities.
The arrested individuals include Dr. Tariq Rasheed, Dr. Abdul Hameed, Dr. Athar Shah, and Dr. Shahid Nawaz Bhatti, along with two others, Muhammad Zulfiqar and Muhammad Irfan, who were intended kidney donors. The condition of one donor was reported to be critical.
Speaking at a press conference held at the FIA Lahore Zone office, Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique reiterated the government's staunch stance against illegal organ transplants. Minister Rafique emphasized the need for streamlining legal transplant procedures and announced plans for new legislation to curb such nefarious practices.
Director FIA Lahore, Sarfraz Ahmad Khan Virk, highlighted the gravity of the situation, revealing that the accused had attempted numerous illegal kidney transplants, all of which were thwarted. He further stated intentions to incorporate provisions of the Anti Money Laundering Act (AMLA) to combat the financial aspects of organ trafficking.
Dr. Muhammad Shahzad Anwar, Director General of PHOTA, underscored the authority's commitment to recommending stricter penalties for individuals engaged in illegal organ trade.
In a separate development, Gulshan Iqbal police apprehended five additional suspects involved in illegal kidney transplants, further underscoring the pervasive nature of the issue.
