Human rights activist Sarim Burney detained in Karachi following 'US human trafficking complaint' – Pakistan

KARACHI: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Wednesday arrested human rights activist and philanthropist Sarim Burney on his arrival at Karachi airport from abroad for his alleged involvement in “child trafficking by way of illegal adoption” following a complaint from the American authorities.

An FIA official said the Anti-Human Trafficking Cell (AHTC) of FIA-Karachi had registered a case (FIR No. 126/2024) against Mr. Burney under sections 420 (Cheating and dishonesty, inducement to deliver goods), 468 (False). for the purpose of cheating), 471 (Using a forged document as genuine), 109 (promotion) of the Pakistan Penal Code read with sections 3 (trafficking in persons), 4 (aggravating circumstances) and 5 (promotion and association of criminals) of the Pakistan Penal Code. Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act, 2018.

According to the FIR, “Sarim Burney and his associates Basalat Ali Khan, Humaira Naz and others, in collusion with each other, knowingly and willfully gave false information, made false statements as well as concealed the facts before the honorable eastern district family court. Karachi under the guise of illegal adoption/guardianship of three little girls by using and providing fraudulent documents.

He said the suspects' statement that “the three little girls in question were orphans and found outside the gate of M/s Sarim Burney Trust and he tried his best to find their parents but no one came forward.” came forward to demand them” was contrary to the facts.

The FIA ​​official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the U.S. Consulate General said in its complaint that over the past year and a half, about 17 to 18 children had been adopted in the United States, but that the adoption process was “illegal”. .

The official clarified that these children were not declared as lawaris (abandoned). According to relevant laws, only children abandoned by their families can be adopted.

However, the FIA ​​traced the trace of three children and the FIR was registered regarding their adoption, the official added.

Published in Dawn, June 6, 2024