Authorities seal an unauthorised transplant facility, recover Rs1 million in cash and freeze two properties worth Rs87.5 million during a joint operation.
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested five suspects for allegedly operating an illegal commercial kidney transplant network in Islamabad, recovering Rs1 million in cash, seizing three vehicles and freezing two properties worth Rs87.5 million.
The operation was conducted jointly with the Human Organ Transplantation Authority (HOTA) at an unauthorised transplant facility in PWD Society, which has since been sealed.
According to the FIA Islamabad Zone, investigators found that a kidney had allegedly been transplanted into 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 days of physical remand for the suspects.
Kidney transplant allegedly arranged for Rs3 million
Investigators found that the recipient had allegedly paid Rs3 million for the transplant. Agents arranged the donor and promised him Rs400,000, including Rs340,000 for the donor and Rs60,000 to be divided among three agents as commission.
The suspects allegedly performed kidney transplants in residential properties without the required medical qualifications. Essential pre-transplant tests, including tissue typing, cross-matching, PRA and HLA tests, were reportedly arranged illegally through hospital contacts.
Investigators alleged that donor samples were submitted under the names of recipients’ relatives, accompanied by forged referral letters, to make unrelated donors appear to be eligible family members under HOTA requirements.
The network reportedly involved agents, a doctor, a nurse, an anaesthesia provider, medicine suppliers, laboratory testing facilitators and dialysis providers. Its alleged operations extended to PWD Society, Bahria Phase IV and Peshawar.
Properties worth Rs87.5 million frozen
The FIA’s financial investigation indicated that two suspects had purchased properties using proceeds allegedly generated through illegal kidney transplants.
One suspect reportedly purchased a 10-marla house in Media Town for Rs62.5 million, while another acquired a five-marla house in Jinnah Garden Phase I for Rs25 million.
The agency issued notices under Section 5 of the FIA Act, 1974, and froze the transfer of both properties. Banks have also been asked to provide the suspects’ account records, while separate money laundering proceedings against the two individuals are under consideration.
During searches, officials recovered Rs1 million in cash and seized a Changan Oshan X7 and two Honda Civics. Their transfers and registrations have been frozen through the relevant excise office.
Investigation and raids continue
Teams from HOTA, the Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority (IHRA) and the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) inspected the facility and are expected to submit separate reports.
The case was registered as FIR No. 60/2026 on 15 October 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.
The FIA said raids were continuing at various locations to arrest the remaining nominated suspects, while the investigation remained under way.