Sindh government decides to run Sarim Burney Trust

The Sindh government has decided to look after the matter of the Sarim Burney Trust, as the incarcerated philanthropist was dealing with a legal battle against accusations of human trafficking.

At the Federal Investigation Agency's (FIA) request, the Social Welfare Department, Sindh has issued the notification in this regard.

In a letter, the FIA stated that the owner of the trust was accused of trafficking children from Pakistan to America, so he could not run the trust.  

“The Director of Social Welfare Karachi Division is hereby assigned to take over the affairs of the Orphanage Center of Sarim Burney, located at Karachi, in the light of Sindh Darul Atfal Act, 1976,” stated the notification of the Social Welfare Department. 

The issue surfaced after the arrest of Burney on June 5 at Jinnah International Airport Karachi upon his arrival from the 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 had also provided records of children transferred to America by Burney to the FIA.