Illegal Kidney Transplant Attempt Foiled at Private Hospital in Kasur; Three Arrested

By Farzana Chaudhry | Lahore, Pakistan

LAHORE: Authorities have foiled an alleged illegal kidney transplantation attempt at a private hospital in Kasur, resulting in the arrest of three suspects and the sealing of the healthcare facility.

According to media reports, a joint operation conducted by the police and the health department late at night targeted a private hospital located near Steel Bagh Chowk in Kasur. The operation led to the disruption of a suspected illegal organ transplant procedure that was reportedly underway.

Officials said a 27-year-old kidney patient, identified as Sakina Bibi, had been taken to the hospital’s operation theatre by Naveed Shoukat, a resident of Narowal, and Shahbaz Arshid, a resident of Lahore, allegedly in collusion with members of the hospital staff.

Acting on information provided by a hospital employee, Sadar Police conducted an immediate raid and arrested Naveed Shoukat, Shahbaz Arshid, and Ammar, a cousin of the patient. Authorities also recovered the kidney that was allegedly intended for transplantation.

Police said several other suspected members of the network, including unidentified doctors and hospital administration employees, managed to flee the scene before the raid. A suspected ambulance and another vehicle were also taken into custody from the hospital’s parking area.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the group was involved in an organized organ trafficking network that allegedly targeted vulnerable individuals by offering financial incentives or using deception to obtain kidneys. The organs were then reportedly transplanted for substantial sums of money at various locations, including Lahore.

A criminal case has been registered, and further investigations are underway to identify and apprehend the remaining suspects involved in the operation.

Authorities said legal proceedings have been initiated against the arrested individuals, while efforts are continuing to uncover the full extent of the alleged organ trafficking network.