Sarim Burney remanded in FIA custody for two days

Extension of the physical remand denied with FIA being given custody of the accused for two days

KARACHI:

A local court has granted a two-day physical remand of Sarim Burney to the Federal Investigations Agency (FIA) on Thursday that follows the activist's arrest over allegations of involvement with human trafficking.

Investigation officer Chaudhary Bilal had earlier requested a 14-day physical remand for the activist on the basis that it was necessary to gather evidence and apprehend any other alleged accomplices of Burney after obtaining his statement.

The IO had made the request before the accused was presented before Justice Khaleequ Zaman. 

He expresssed concerns that failing to do may deter justice as possibility for evidence being tampered or destroyed was high if the FIA did not have obtain custody of the accused.

However, extension of the physical remand was denied with the FIA being given custody of the accused for only two days.

The court further instrcuted the FIA to produce a progress report for the ongoing case.

FIA alleges that the renowned social worker was detained on charges related to human trafficking, including smuggling and illegally sending more than 25 children to the US for adoption, following a complaint filed by American authorities against his Sarim Burney Welfare Trust on the charges of fraud and fasifying documents.

As a result of these accusations, an investigation into the social worker's activities involving the smuggling of children to the US has been initiated.

A legal team arrived at the FIA office to meet Burney.

Burney's lawyers made claims that these accusations against Burni are baseless due to his contributions and social services to society but the request to withdraw the case against him was denied.

The activist had also uploaded and shared a video statement that was made shortly before his departure for Pakistan where he was arrested on arrival.

FIA's Anti-Human Trafficking Team arrested Burney from Karachi airport on June, 5 .

The FIA said it had been surveilling Burney's activities for some time before his arrest.

Sources reported that Burney was wanted by the FIA for his alleged involvement in serious offenses, including human trafficking.