Sarim Burney smuggled a newborn girl to USA for $3,000: FIA

The Judicial Magistrate's Court in Karachi on Saturday rejected the Federal Investigation Agency's (FIA) request to extend the physical remand of philanthropist Sarim Burney by 7 days in the human trafficking case.

During the hearing, it was revealed that Burney received $3,000 from an American couple for smuggling a newborn girl to the USA. 

The FIA prosecutor stated that the child, Haya, was declared an orphan in the family court, and the humanitarian's organisation, Sarim Burney Trust International, was involved in the "illegal adoption process".

The court inquired about the payment and the accused's involvement, to which the FIA prosecutor presented a receipt for $3,000. 

Burney denied knowledge of the payment, claiming it was handled by his trust.

The investigating officer, Chaudhry Bilal, revealed that three children's cases have been investigated so far, with 20 more pending. 

Judicial Magistrate Khaleequ Zaman ordered the investigation body to record Burney's statement in his chamber, in the presence of his lawyers.

Burney's lawyer, Safai Amir Nawaz Waraich, argued against further physical remand, citing concerns of torture. 

The court rejected the FIA's request and sent Burney to jail on judicial remand, with the bail application to be heard on June 10.

Outside the courtroom, Burney maintained his innocence, claiming the allegations were false and that he had worked to improve children's lives.

Background:

On June 5, 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.