Court extends remand of 5 suspects in human organ trade investigation

ISLAMABAD, Jun 30 (APP): The District and Sessions Court of Islamabad on Tuesday extended the physical remand of five suspects by two days in a case linked to the alleged illegal collection and export of human placenta.

The suspects, including three foreign nationals and two Pakistani citizens, were presented before the court by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) as investigators sought more time to continue the inquiry.

The case was heard by Judicial Magistrate Ahmed Shahzad Gondal.

During the hearing, FIA officials requested a nine-day physical remand for the suspects, arguing that further investigation was required to examine the evidence and trace the network allegedly involved in the operation.

After hearing arguments from both sides, the court approved a two-day extension in the physical remand of the five suspects and directed investigators to present them again after the expiry of remand period.

A lawyer representing the Pakistani suspects appeared before the court and rejected the allegations against his clients. He argued that the accused had no connection with the alleged activities and claimed that the FIA had wrongly nominated them in the case. The counsel stated that his representation was limited to the two Pakistani citizens among the arrested individuals.

The suspects were arrested during a joint operation conducted by the FIA and the Human Organ Transplant Authority (HOTA) in Islamabad’s F-7 sector. Five individuals, including Chinese nationals, were taken into custody during the raid.

According to investigators, a large quantity of human placenta was recovered from the premises. Officials said the seized material included fresh, dried, and processed placenta stored at the location.

The FIA alleged that the suspects were involved in obtaining human placenta from hospitals in Peshawar, Rawalpindi, and Lahore. Investigators believe the material was collected, processed, and prepared for shipment abroad.

According to the investigation, the processed placenta was allegedly misdeclared before export. Authorities claim it was labelled as sheep organs to avoid detection and facilitate overseas transportation.