ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Anti-Corruption Circle, Islamabad Zone, arrested nine people, including a well-known urologist and a private hospital employee, for their alleged involvement in illegal kidney transplantation and organ trafficking.

According to FIA officials, the arrests were made during a raid at a prominent private hospital in Islamabad, where illegal kidney removal operations were allegedly being carried out.

The doctor and hospital employee are described as key operatives in the network.

The operation was carried out under the direction of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, FIA Director General Usman Anwar, and Director Islamabad Zone Syed Shahzad Nadeem Bukhari.

Several others present at the scene, including alleged donors, recipients and hospital staff, were also taken into custody for questioning and shifted to the FIA office.

Officials said the crackdown was part of an ongoing investigation into a wider network targeting poor people from underdeveloped districts of southern Punjab, particularly Rahim Yar Khan and Dera Ghazi Khan.

The suspects allegedly lured financially distressed individuals into selling their kidneys for small amounts before selling the organs at much higher prices.

The FIA said the scope of the investigation had been expanded and further raids were under way to apprehend other members of the network.