RAWALPINDI, Oct: When Babar Shahzad came to Rawalpindi from Lahore in February, he was unemployed and hoping he would get a job in the metro bus service. He returned to Lahore still unemployed, and a victim to organ theft. His kidney had been stolen by his uncle, his cousin and three other individuals.

Shahzad, a resident of Garden Town, Lahore, first approached police in Lahore but a case was not registered. The case was eventually registered in Rawalpindi, because the premises where he was reportedly operated on falls within the limits of the Pirwadhai police station.

Shahzad, who is unemployed, was brought to Rawalpindi by his relatives, who claimed they would arrange a job for him in the recently launched metro bus service. He was asked to have clinical tests done because they were required for his job.

“My urine and blood tests were done by another person, who was also accompanied by a woman, both wearing surgical masks. They told me that my medical tests were clear on the same night,” Shahzad told Dawn. Being illiterate, Shahzad can neither read nor write (other than his name).

“At night, another person entered my room and inserted an IV drip into my arm. I was unconscious soon after.”

“I don’t know how long I was unconscious, but when I regained consciousness I was screaming in pain and called my uncle to come help me.” Babar said. His uncle told him he would receive Rs500,000.

Shahzad was then driven to the Pirwadhai bus station.

“I was put on a bus to Lahore with Rs.5,000 from my uncle.”

Shahzad was met by his cousin, who dropped him home and left. “He also asked me not to tell anyone about my surgery because it was illegal and I would be arrested.”

Shahzad said that he did not tell his mother about the ordeal even though she lived with him, and did not leave his house for several months. Shahzad did not know his kidney was stolen until he went to a government dispensary, where he was advised to go to a government hospital or police station.

Shahzad said he went to the Garden Town police station first, and lodged a complaint.

His relatives were taken into police custody, but were released that evening after he gave his thumb impression on a plain piece of paper.

Shahzad said he then filed a complaint with the chief commissioner, and received a response from the Rawalpindi City Police Officer (CPO) who invited him to his office. It was then that a case was registered against the suspects.

CPO Israr Ahmed Abbasi told Dawn that the police would track down all of those involved in the illegal sale of kidneys and would bring them to justice.

He said a police team had been dispatched to various cities to arrest the suspects and expose those involved.

He added that there have been reports of kidney thefts taking place in private hospitals in the Potohar Town area.

Published in Dawn, October 10th , 2015

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