Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Friday directed the Federal Investigation Agency to investigate medical colleges that do not meet the education standard and lack required facilities, a statement issued by the ministry said.

He further ordered the FIA to launch a "formal investigation against persons, facilitators and centres involved in the sale, purchase and transplant of human organs".

The statement quoted Nisar as saying that FIA should probe the reasons because of which the medical colleges were "granted permission" to run the institutions in the first place and "allowed to play with the lives of patients and the future of students."

Nisar further said that it should be determined whether this an issue of negligence on the part of the institution or if it were a "crime committed intentionally".

"Whether it is the issue of illegal sale, purchase and transplant of human organs or playing with the future of medical students, in both matters, the involved elements not only committed professional dishonesty but were also culprits before humanity, Nisar added.

Strict accountability is necessary, the minster said.

The FIA has been asked to produce an initial report within 15 days on the issue.