Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Anti-Corruption Circle Islamabad arrested two key suspects allegedly involved in an illegal human kidney transplant network, as investigations revealed details of a sophisticated operation that allegedly exploited poor and vulnerable individuals for financial gain.
An official told APP on Monday that FIA arrested principal agent Shabbir Hussain from Jalalpur Bhattian, district Hafizabad, and his close associate and alleged sub-agent Ghulam Abbas from Chak No. 326/15-L, Mian Channu, district Khanewal, in connection with case No. 16/2026.
The official said both suspects allegedly recruited financially distressed individuals and arranged kidney donors for an illegal transplant network by offering them relatively small amounts of money. According to the official, the FIA had earlier arrested Dr. Nadir and members of his team in Islamabad for their alleged involvement in illegal kidney transplant procedures, and a case had already been registered against them.
The official said evidence collected so far indicated that Dr Nadir was allegedly involved in nearly 187 illegal kidney transplants, while different aspects of the case were still under investigation. Investigators found that recipients were allegedly charged between Rs6 million and Rs10 million for a transplant, while poor donors were reportedly paid only a few hundred thousand rupees, with the remaining amount allegedly distributed among members of the network.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Shabbir Hussain allegedly operated through a network of sub-agents across Punjab and Islamabad and targeted brick kiln workers, daily wage labourers and other economically disadvantaged individuals for donor recruitment. According to FIA, evidence gathered during the investigation suggested that the suspect had allegedly arranged more than 50 kidney donors for the network.
The official said investigators had also uncovered evidence suggesting that approvals from the Human Organ Transplant Authority (HOTA) were allegedly obtained through forged and fraudulent documents, while mandatory approvals from the relevant evaluation committee were reportedly missing in several cases.
FIA is also examining allegations that the network facilitated kidney transplants involving Afghan and other foreign nationals. Relevant records, financial transactions, and other evidence are currently undergoing forensic and legal analysis. The official said Shabbir Hussain had previously been nominated in multiple FIA cases but had managed to evade arrest. His arrest is being viewed as a significant breakthrough in the ongoing crackdown against illegal trade in human organs.
Investigators believe the arrest may help identify additional agents, facilitators, financiers and other individuals allegedly linked to the network. The official said FIA would continue indiscriminate action against all those involved in illegal organ trafficking and human organ trade and would pursue every legal avenue to bring those responsible to justice. The allegations are subject to investigation and final determination by a court of law.