Child trafficking probe: Karachi Court sends Sarim Burney to judicial remand, denies FIA extension
A local court in Karachi has rejected a request by the Federal Investigation Agency for an extension of activist Sarim Burney's physical remand in the case involving the smuggling of children to the United States.
Burney was sent to jail on judicial remand on June 6.
During the hearing on Saturday, it was revealed that Burney had allegedly received $3,000 from an American couple.
The proceedings were held before the judicial magistrate at the district and sessions court in Karachi, with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) presenting Burney in court.
Investigating Officer Chaudhry Bilal, prosecutors, and defence lawyers, including Aamir Nawaz Warraich and Qadir Khan, were also present.
The FIA requested the court for an extension of seven days for the physical remand, citing the need for more investigation.
The prosecutor stated that a child, Haya, was declared an orphan by the family court after being sold by her mother, Afshin, to a woman named Madiha, who then sold the child to Bushra.
The Sarim Burney Trust also declared the child an orphan.
The prosecutor claimed, "the suspect is not cooperating with the investigation and has failed to provide accurate answers. We have identified 20 other victims so far."
The court then asked the FIA about how much money was involved in Haya’s case.
The prosecutor responded that $3,000 had been paid by the adopting couple. When asked for evidence, the FIA lawyer suggested an in-camera trial due to the involvement of an organised group, indicating that records from digital, financial, and US intelligence sources were needed for scrutiny.
The court further inquired if the biological parents of the children were alive.
The FIA lawyer confirmed they were and would be brought to court for statements.
A receipt for the $3,000 transaction was presented in court.
Upon questioning Burney about the $3,000, he replied, "I don’t know," suggesting that the trust might have received the money.
The investigation officer confirmed that three children's cases had been investigated so far, with 20 more pending.
Defence lawyer Aamir Nawaz Warraich argued against the physical remand, expressing concerns about potential torture.
He questioned the authenticity of the presented receipt, arguing, "Did the receipt mention the word 'sale'?"
Warraich also stated that the family had voluntarily given up the child, and Burney was being blackmailed.
Burney claimed to have evidence on his mobile phone, stating, "I told the FIA that I was out of the country and would respond upon my return."
The court asked the accused social worker if he knew the parents were alive, to which he replied he did not. Warraich asserted that the child was brought to the trust by someone else.
The court instructed the FIA to record Burney's statement in the chamber, with his lawyers present.
The request for an extension of physical remand was denied, and Burney was sent to jail on judicial remand.
The court scheduled a hearing for Burney’s bail application on June 10.
After the hearing, Burney said, "Those accusing me are tarnishing Pakistan's reputation. The FIA’s allegations are false."
"Everything I did was to secure a better future for the children. My crime is being the head of the organisation; no employee is at fault," the detained social activist further added.
A team of the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Anti-Human Trafficking Circle on Wednesday arrested renowned philanthropist and human rights activist Sarim Burney at the international arrival lounge of the Karachi airport on his return from the US.