Another ‘agent’ arrested in illegal organ trade scandal

LAHORE: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Tuesday arrested another agent in connection with the illegal organ trade in the city.

An FIA team headed by Deputy Director Jamil Ahmad Khan Mayo conducted a raid and arrested Abdul Majeed in Sialkot.

“Majeed is part of the illegal organ racket and paid regular visits to the UAE, Oman and Jordan to connect foreigners with different doctors here for illegal kidney transplantation. He also worked for the arrested Dr Fawad Mumtaz and Dr Altamash Kharal,” Mr Mayo told Dawn.

He said four months ago, Majeed had connected UAE national Muhammad bin Rashid with Dr Mumtaz and Dr Kharal for the operation. However, Rashid died during the illegal procedure.

The official said Majeed had a network in the UAE and he knew Arabic very well. “Majeed is an active member of an international racket,” he added.

The FIA over a week ago had arrested red-handed Dr Mumtaz, Dr Kharal, paramedical staffers Umer Draz and Muhammad Shahzad during a raid in EME Society near Thokar Niaz Beg while they were performing a kidney transplant on two donors and as many Omani recipients.

The donors and recipients were currently being treated at Mayo Hospital. The FIA also arrested a lady health visitor who worked for the arrested doctors. The racket was operative in other parts of the country also.

Remand: A judicial magistrate on Tuesday extended for another four-day physical remand of four suspects involved illegal organ-transplant scandal.

The FIA produced Dr Fawad Mumtaz, Dr Altamash Kharal, Umar Draz and Shahzad before the magistrate after expiry of their previous remand.

The investigating officer stated that further custody of the suspects was required for completion investigation.

The magistrate extended physical remand of the suspects for four days.

Source: Dawn