Child trafficking investigation: Karachi court sends Sarim Burney to remand, refuses FIA extension

KARACHI:

A local court in Karachi has rejected a request by the Federal Investigation Agency to extend the remand of activist Sarim Burney in a case of illicit child trafficking to the United States.

Burney was sent to prison on remand on June 6.

During Saturday's hearing, it was revealed that Burney allegedly received $3,000 from an American couple.

The proceedings took place before the Judicial Magistrate at the District and Sessions Court of Karachi, with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) producing Burney before the court.

Investigator Chaudhry Bilal, prosecutors and defense lawyers, including Aamir Nawaz Warraich and Qadir Khan, were also present.

The FIA ​​asked the court for a seven-day extension to the remand, citing the need for further investigation.

The prosecutor said a child, Haya, was declared an orphan by the family court after he was sold by his mother, Afshin, to a woman named Madiha, who then sold the child to Bushra.

The Sarim Burney Trust also declared the child an orphan.

The prosecutor claimed that “the suspect is not cooperating with the investigation and has not provided specific answers. We have so far identified 20 other victims.”

The court then asked the FIA ​​how much money was involved in Haya's case.

The prosecutor responded that $3,000 was paid by the adoptive couple. When asked for evidence, the FIA ​​lawyer suggested a closed trial due to the involvement of an organized group, saying records from digital, financial and US intelligence sources were needed for careful examination.

The court further asked whether the children's biological parents were alive.

The FIA ​​lawyer confirmed that they were and would be brought before the court for statements.

A receipt for the $3,000 transaction was presented to the court.

After asking Burney about the $3,000, he replied, “I don't know,” suggesting the trust could have received the money.

The investigator confirmed that three children's cases had been investigated so far and 20 more were in progress.

Defense lawyer Aamir Nawaz Warraich spoke out against pretrial detention, expressing concerns about possible torture.

He questioned the authenticity of the receipt presented, arguing: “Did the receipt mention the word 'sale'?

Warraich also said the family voluntarily abandoned the child and that Burney was being blackmailed.

Burney claimed to have evidence on his cell phone, saying: “I told the FIA ​​I was out of the country and would respond when I returned.”

The court asked the accused social worker if he knew the parents were alive, to which he replied no. Warraich claimed the child had been brought to the trust by someone else.

The court asked the FIA ​​to record Burney's statement in the chamber, in the presence of his lawyers.

The request to extend the remand was refused and Burney was sent to prison on remand.

The court has scheduled a hearing for Burney's bail application for June 10.

After the hearing, Burney said: “Those who accuse me are tarnishing the reputation of Pakistan. The FIA's allegations are false.”

“Everything I did was to ensure a better future for the children. My crime is being the head of the organization; no employee is at fault,” added the detained social activist.

A team of the Anti-Human Trafficking Circle of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested famous philanthropist and human rights activist Sarim Burney at the international arrival hall of the airport on Wednesday from Karachi, upon his return from the United States.