On Wednesday, the Anti-Human Trafficking and Smuggling Wing of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) detained Sarim Burney at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi.
Burney had arrived at the Karachi airport from the United States (US) on a Flydubai flight when he was detained by the FIA on a complaint of the US authorities.
The FIA anti-human trafficking officials started an investigation on a human trafficking petition received from the US government against Sarim Burney.
According to the FIA sources, Sarim Burney is accused of human trafficking in the US, Canada, and other countries.
There were serious charges of human trafficking and illegal adoption of children against Sarim Burney. An FIR was registered against him, and he was formally arrested.
During the proceeding, the prosecution requested Burney’s remand to record his statement on the ground of further investigation. However, the defence lawyer argued that the prosecution lacked evidence to support the allegations and maintained that his client’s contribution to society was commendable.
Burney’s lawyer argued that his client was arrested on false and baseless charges, highlighting his dedication to social work and his inability to engage in any wrongdoing.
In his defense, Sarim Burney said that the child in question had been handed over to a couple for a better future and that all necessary information had been provided to the US authorities. Burney said that he would fully cooperate with the prosecution regarding investigation.
He asked whether all such children should be left alone to suffer, because their parents abandoned them. He claimed that a pre-planned podcast had been recorded against him.
The court questioned the prosecution about the alleged trafficking of children and asked whether these children had been abused. The IO requested custody of Burney, citing concerns over potential evidence loss if Burney was not remanded in FIA custody.
After hearing the arguments, the court granted a two-day physical remand of the accused to the FIA.
