Illegal kidney trade: FIA arrests three in Murree

The suspects had been hiding near the Kalash valley in Chitral

ISLAMABAD: Three men suspected of being involved in illegal kidney transplants were apprehended by the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) in Murree, the agency said on Friday.

According to sources, the alleged ring leader Saqib Khan, his associate Fazail, and brother-in-law Qamar had been hiding near the Kalash valley in Chitral after authorities had launched a crackdown against those involved in the illicit trade.

On Wednesday night, the three men travelled to Faisalabad to pick up a friend before heading towards Murree.

The FIA crime circle team followed the suspects from Faisalabad to a hotel in the hill station where the suspects were apprehended.

Last month, the Ministry of Interior had empowered the FIA through legislation to take action against human organ trafficking.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 13^th, 2017.