Mother 'sells' newborn to pay hospital bill

Police recover child, seal clinic; doctor on the run

KARACHI:

In a shocking incident that has sparked widespread outrage, a woman allegedly had to sell her newborn baby to settle medical bills at a private clinic in Memon Goth, police said on Sunday.

Malir district police chief confirmed on Sunday evening that the child has been recovered safely and handed over to the family, while the clinic has been sealed.

According to ASI Ejaz, who registered the case, this is the first incident of its kind reported in the area. The case has been handed over to the Anti-Violent Crime Cell (AVCC) for further investigation, while efforts are underway to trace the woman who took the infant.

The incident occurred at Zehra Clinic in Memon Goth and the FIR was registered on the complaint of the newborn's father, Sarung, a resident of Jokhio Goth, Nooriabad, Jamshoro.

The FIR invokes sections 363 (kidnapping) of the Pakistan Penal Code and Sections 3, 4, and 5 of the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act, 2018.

In his statement to police, Sarung said that his wife, who was pregnant, had been living with her parents after a domestic disagreement. On Oct 5, she visited Zehra Clinic with her mother for a medical check-up, where Dr Zehra advised a cesarean operation and demanded advance payment.

When the patient's family said they could not afford the cost, the doctor allegedly suggested that she knew a woman who helps poor families and could cover the expenses. The doctor claimed the woman also raises children.

After the delivery, a woman identified as Shama, wife of Azam, reportedly arrived at the hospital, paid the bills, and took the newborn baby with her.

Days later, the father learned that his wife had delivered a son and that the child had been taken away by Shama. When he visited the clinic, the staff provided Shama's phone number, which has since been switched off.

Sarung told police he suspects that Shama may have sold the baby to another party. Investigators are probing whether she is part of a network that targets impoverished expectant mothers by offering financial help in exchange for their newborns, or if she acted alone.

SHO Memon Goth Javed Abro said police were also collecting information about Zehra Clinic to determine whether similar incidents had taken place there in the past. When contacted, a person who answered Sarung's phone said that he was unwell and unable to speak.

Police said raids are being conducted to trace the woman and recover the missing infant.

Baby recovered from Punjab within days

On Sunday evening, Malir SSP Abdul Khaliq Pirzada, speaking to The Express Tribune, confirmed that the newborn had been transported to Punjab, where he was successfully recovered through a police operation.

"The clinic where the delivery took place has been sealed. The child was sold by the accused under the pretext of financial assistance. The newborn has now been reunited with his real parents," SSP Pirzada said.

He added that the primary suspects — Dr Zahra and Shama Baloch — remain at large, but raids are being conducted and arrests are expected soon.

Officials suspect the involvement of an organised network targeting low-income families. The case has raised serious questions over the regulation of private clinics in peripheral settlements of Karachi, where such offenses often remain unreported.

Police say further legal action will be taken once the accused are arrested and the wider network — if confirmed — is uncovered.