Man held for selling his new-born son

Police say accused sold his son for Rs150,000 to a man who was also arrested

RAWALPINDI:

Police arrested a man for allegedly selling his four-month-old son to a man for Rs150,000 in Zarrat Colony, Attock on Monday.

The Child Protection Bureau (CPW) also nabbed the man who bought the child and took the baby into their protective custody.

CPW Divisional Officer, Ali Abid Naqvi, confirmed that a DNA test will be conducted to determine the child's true parentage and they will investigate if abduction and trafficking were involved.

CPW officer, Sana Kanwal told The Express Tribune that the case unfolded within the jurisdiction of the City police station in Attock. Acting on the information, the bureau officials reached the house in the colony. Upon inquiry, Hassan Siddique admitted to selling his four-month-old son, Muhammad Subhan, for Rs150,000 to an individual named Mulazim Hussain. The transaction was formalised on Rs1200 stamp paper.

Upon verification of the stamp paper, a case was registered against the accused, and an investigation was launched to arrest the suspects.

CPW Chairperson Sara Ahmed expressed deep concern over the incident, emphasising the gravity of child trafficking. She appreciated CPW Rawalpindi and local police for immediately rescuing the child and apprehending the suspects.

According to the initial investigations, the child’s father cited poverty and inability to care for the child as reasons for his act. The buyer opted for a written agreement and stamp paper to prevent any disputes in the future.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 12^th, 2024.