Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique highlighted the collaborative efforts between Punjab Human Organ Transplantation Authority (PHOTA) and FIA in cracking down on an organised group engaged in illegal kidney transplantation.
The minister was flanked by Director FIA Sarfaraz Ahmad Virk. He pointed out that the operation was conducted in different parts of Punjab. Notable among the accused were cardiologist and transplant surgeon Dr Tariq Rasheed, Dr Abdul Hameed, Dr Athar Shah, Chief Dialysis Technician Dr Shahid Nawaz Bhatti, as well as donors Muhammad Zulfikar and Muhammad Irfan.
The FIA director said his team would continue its efforts to apprehend other suspects, with six already arrested in joint operations with PHOTA.
Minister Rafique commended the FIA and PHOTA teams for their successful collaboration and assured further legal action against the accused.
Responding to journalists' queries, Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique expressed plans to enhance the effectiveness of Punjab Human Organ Transplantation Authority and appreciated the cooperation of FIA Lahore.
He reaffirmed PHOTA's commitment to combat illegal organ transplantation across the province and vowed to introduce stricter legislation in the Punjab Assembly to tackle such criminal activities.
FIA Director Sarfaraz Ahmad Virk pledged to pursue the harshest penalties for the arrested suspects, including pursuing money laundering charges.
Punjab Human Organ Transplantation Authority Director General Dr Mohammad Shahzad Anwar extended congratulations to the joint FIA and PHOTA team for their successful operation, emphasising the importance of collaborative efforts in combating organ trafficking.
Also present were DG Punjab Human Organ Transplantation Authority, Professor Dr. Mohammad Shahzad Anwar, along with Adnan Ahmed Bhatti, Gul Shahnaz, Imtiaz Ahmad Niazi, Mirza Faheem, and other officials.
During the conference, Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique and Director Sarfaraz Ahmad Virk distributed certificates of appreciation and cash prizes to officers involved in a successful operation.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 27th, 2024.
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