FIA gets two-day physical remand of Sarim Burney in human trafficking case

A judicial magistrate on Thursday handed over renowned philanthropist Sarim Burney to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on a two-day physical remand in a case related to his alleged involvement in smuggling humans to the US.

The humanitarian was produced before the Judicial Magistrate Khaleequ Zaman by Investigation Officer Chaudhry Bilal seeking his 14-day physical remand on the course of conducting a proper investigation.

The IO sought Burney's custody to record his statement, obtain the relevant record and arrest his co-accused.

However, the court granted a two-day physical remand of the social worker.

The court directed the authorities to produce Burney after completion of his remand.

On the other hand, the court rejected Chairman Sarim Burney Trust International's petition seeking discharge from the case.

Background:

A day earlier, Burney was arrested by Anti-Human and Trafficking police at Karachi airport upon his arrival to the country from the US.

The first case, FIR 26/2024, was registered against the philanthropist, accusing him of trafficking children from Pakistan to the United States (US).

According to FIA officials, the case came to light after a newborn girl named Haya was allegedly smuggled to America.

Further investigation revealed that over 20 newborn babies, including 15 girls, were trafficked by Burney's welfare organisation in the last year.

The investigation body claimed that Burney's wife, Alia, is also a beneficiary of the trust and may be implicated in the case.

As per FIA, confidential documents showed Alia's involvement in the transfer of children to the US.

The US authorities have also provided records of children transferred to America by Burney to the FIA, and Pakistani officials are working to verify the documents. 

FIA officials, in the FIR, alleged that the humanitarian bought the children from poor families, including Haya, who was purchased for Rs1 million.

The agency claimed that the human rights activist had admitted his crime in his initial statement and that more cases of child trafficking and money laundering may be registered against him.