By The newspaper
02 Oct 2023, 17:31 PM EDT
Pakistani law enforcement agencies have arrested eight people linked to a nefarious organ trafficking ring operating in the northeast region of the country.
This network, led by Fawad Mukhtar, is accused of exploiting hundreds of vulnerable people by removing their kidneys to illicitly transplant them to wealthy clients.
Surprisingly, this is not Fawad Mukhtar’s first encounter with the law, having evaded capture on five previous occasions, the BBC reveals.
Pakistan: the organ trafficking operation
Operating primarily in the eastern province of Punjab and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, the organ trafficking syndicate carried out its transplants in clandestine settings, often without the knowledge of unsuspecting patients.
Mohsin Naqvi, Chief Minister of Punjab province, revealed that a car mechanic had worked as Mukhtar’s surgical assistant, helping to get vulnerable patients out of hospitals.
Kidneys harvested by the network were allegedly sold at exorbitant prices, fetching up to 10 million rupees each, equivalent to approximately $120,000. Naqvi expressed the seriousness of the situation during a press conference, stating: “The facts and figures that have reached us make our hearts tremble.” He also indicated that there may be more illegal transplants and surgeries yet to be discovered, according to the BBC.
Increase in incidents of organ trafficking
It is crucial to note that the trade in human organs has been illegal in Pakistan since 2010, with strict penalties, including a decade-long prison sentence and substantial fines, designed to deter doctors, middlemen, recipients and donors. However, despite these strict laws, the nation has witnessed a rise in organ trafficking activities.
This alarming revelation comes on the heels of an incident in January, when Punjab police uncovered another organ trafficking ring. The discovery came after a missing 14-year-old boy was found in an underground laboratory with his kidney removed.
That is why the arrest of the eight individuals linked to this organ trafficking network is a significant step in the fight against this heinous trade in Pakistan.
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