ISLAMABAD, Oct 22 (APP):The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested five suspects for allegedly operating an illegal commercial kidney transplant network in Islamabad, recovered Rs1 million in cash, seized three vehicles and frozen two properties worth Rs87.5 million. The agency also sealed the illegal transplant facility during a joint operation with the Human Organ Transplantation Authority (HOTA) in PWD Society. According to the FIA Islamabad Zone, investigators found that a …
FIA arrests five suspects in illegal kidney transplant network, freezes Rs875 mln in properties
ISLAMABAD, Oct 22 (APP):The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested five suspects for allegedly operating an illegal commercial kidney transplant network in Islamabad, recovered Rs1 million in cash, seized three vehicles and frozen two properties worth Rs87.5 million.
The agency also sealed the illegal transplant facility during a joint operation with the Human Organ Transplantation Authority (HOTA) in PWD Society.
According to the FIA Islamabad Zone, investigators found that a kidney had been illegally transplanted into recipient Muhammad Qasim, son of Muhammad Arif, using an organ donated by Ramzan Arshad, son of Muhammad Arshad.
Three suspects were arrested at the site, while two others were apprehended later. A court has granted seven-day physical remand of the arrested suspects.
The investigation revealed that the recipient paid Rs3 million in cash for the kidney transplant. Agents arranged the donor and promised him Rs400,000, of which Rs340,000 was to be paid to the donor and Rs60,000 divided among three agents as commission.
The suspects allegedly performed kidney transplants in residential houses without the required medical degrees or qualifications. Tests required before transplantation, including tissue typing, cross-matching, PRA and HLA tests, were arranged illegally through agents at a hospital.
As these tests were permitted only for close relatives approved by HOTA, the suspects allegedly submitted donor samples under the names of the recipients’ relatives and used forged referral letters to make the donors appear to be family members.
The recipients’ dialysis was arranged through a technician at a hospital in Islamabad. If a patient’s condition deteriorated after transplantation, the patient was shifted to another hospital.
The network reportedly involved agents, a doctor, a nurse, an anaesthesia provider, medicine suppliers, laboratory testing facilitators and dialysis providers. The suspects allegedly operated from private premises in PWD Society, Bahria Phase IV and Peshawar.
Financial investigations indicated that the suspects had purchased properties in Islamabad using proceeds allegedly earned through illegal kidney transplants.
One suspect purchased a 10-marla house in Media Town for Rs62.5 million, while another bought a five-marla house in Jinnah Garden Phase I for Rs25 million.
The FIA issued notices under Section 5 of the FIA Act, 1974, and froze the transfer of both properties. Letters have also been sent to banks to obtain the suspects’ account records. Separate money laundering proceedings against the two suspects are under consideration.
During searches, the FIA recovered Rs1 million in cash and seized three vehicles: one Changan Oshan X7 and two Honda Civics. Their transfer and registration have been frozen through the relevant excise office.
Teams from HOTA, the Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority (IHRA) and the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) inspected the illegal facility and will submit separate reports.
The operation was conducted on the directions of the FIA Islamabad Zone director under the supervision of the deputy director of the FIA Anti-Corruption Circle, Islamabad.
The FIA team included Sub-Inspectors Tabish Javed, Shehryar and Ahtisham Gondal, Assistant Sub-Inspector Sohail Ahmed and LFC Rabab. HOTA was represented by Assistant Audit Officer Sardar Adil and Monitoring Officer Hina Kanwal.
Raids are continuing at different locations to arrest the remaining nominated suspects, while the investigation is under way.
The case was registered as FIR No. 60/2026 on October 15, 2026, under Sections 9, 10 and 11(a)(ii) of the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 2010, read with Sections 34, 419 and 109 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
