Placenta smuggling probe deepens

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has continued its investigation into the alleged recovery and smuggling of human placenta seized from an illegal human organ processing facility operating from houses in upscale sectors of Islamabad. Three Chinese nationals and two Pakistani suspects, whose four-day physical remand ends on Monday, will be produced before a court to seek an extension of their custody. The FIA has also widened the scope of its investigation to hospitals from where the Chinese and Pakistani suspects allegedly obtained human placenta after childbirth. According to details, acting on intelligence received by FIA Islamabad Zone Director Shahzad Nadeem Bukhari, a joint team of the FIA Corporate Crime Circle Islamabad and the Human Organ Transplant Authority raided a house in Sector F-7/1, Islamabad. During the raid, the team found a complete plant allegedly set up for the illegal processing of human organs, particularly human placenta. The investigation revealed that the suspects were illegally processing and drying human placenta at the facility. The finished product, marketed as "She Placenta", was allegedly smuggled and exported to Vietnam. Officials recovered around 500 kilograms of fresh and processed human placenta and arrested five suspects, including three Chinese nationals - Li Gangcai, Wang Bao and Peng Fei Gua - and two Pakistanis, Waqas and Qasim Hanif. During the raid, another Chinese national, identified only as Li, arrived at the premises and introduced himself as a friend of Li Gangcai. Acting on leads linked to the same network, the FIA later raided another location in Islamabad's E-11 sector, where another fully operational processing centre equipped with refrigerators containing organs was found. Processing equipment and prepared material were recovered from the site, while two more Pakistani suspects were taken into custody and are being questioned. A case has been registered against the suspects under the relevant provisions of the Human Organs Transplantation Act (HOTA), 2010. The investigation has also been extended to hospitals in Rawalpindi, Peshawar and Lahore from where the suspects allegedly obtained human placenta after childbirth. Sources said further revelations are expected during the investigation.

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SC returns Imran appeal against IHC order

The Supreme Court has returned appeals filed by former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, challenging an Islamabad High Court (IHC) order that declined to decide their applications for suspension of sentence on merit in the £190 m case. It is learnt that the Supreme Court Registrar returned the appeals after raising objections, holding that the appropriate remedy against the IHC order lay before the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC). However, counsel for Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi, Salman Safdar, has contested the objection, maintaining that the appeals are maintainable before the Supreme Court under Article 185(3) of the Constitution. According to the petition, Article 175A(1)(a) of the Constitution provides that an appeal to the FCC lies only where it is expressly provided by law. The petition states that Section 32A of the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO), 1999, provides a second appeal to the FCC against a decision of a high court under Section 32 of the ordinance. However, it argues that the NAO does not expressly provide an appeal to the FCC against an order passed on a bail application under Section 9(b) of the NAO read with Section 497 of the CrPC, or against an order on an application for suspension of sentence, even where such an application is filed in a criminal appeal under Section 32 of the ordinance. "Consequently, in the absence of any specific statutory remedy of appeal under the NAO, 1999, the impugned order is assailable before the Hon'ble Supreme Court of Pakistan under Article 185(3) of the Constitution," the petition states. The IHC had disposed of the sentence suspension pleas in early May, observing that since the principal appeals had already been fixed for hearing, there was no justification for separately taking up the suspension applications. In his appeal, Imran Khan submits that he developed an eye condition during his imprisonment and had to be shifted outside jail for medical treatment. He argues that his continued incarceration despite serious health issues is unjust and contends that prolonged solitary confinement has caused him exceptional mental distress. The petition further alleges that the application for suspension of sentence was deliberately delayed and notes that Imran Khan had been granted bail during the trial after the allegations against him were found to be without basis. It argues that courts are legally empowered to examine the merits of a case while deciding applications for suspension of sentence and maintains that dismissing the plea without a preliminary assessment of the evidence was erroneous. The appeal also accuses NAB of repeatedly seeking adjournments, delaying the proceedings and denying the petitioners timely justice. It further alleges that Imran Khan's arrest was unlawful and politically motivated, adding that a higher court had previously ordered his release over the manner of his arrest.

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Educational decline feared in privatised schools

Serious concerns have emerged over deteriorating conditions in nearly 13,000 educational institutions across Punjab, including Rawalpindi district, which have been handed over to private management during the past two years under outsourcing and public-private partnership arrangements. According to education sector representatives, many of these schools are now facing an acute shortage of basic facilities, including electricity, water, furniture and other essential resources. Several outsourced schools have reportedly been abandoned altogether, with buildings locked and lying deserted. Complaints have also intensified regarding cost-cutting measures adopted during school hours, including the switching off of electric fans to avoid high electricity bills. In one widely discussed incident at a school operating under a public-private partnership arrangement, management allegedly turned off ceiling fans during classes. A video of the incident went viral on social media, prompting the registration of an FIR against the school administration. Muhammad Shafiq Bhalwalia, Secretary General of the Schools Education Pensioners Association, along with Punjab Teachers Union central president Ramzan Inqalabi and union leaders Bashir Warraich and Amjad Mahmood, stated that approximately 13,000 primary, elementary and high schools had been outsourced over the past two years. They claimed that many of these institutions were now struggling due to administrative difficulties and dilapidated infrastructure. They further alleged that when schools are transferred to private operators under partnership arrangements, female teachers possessing only matriculation or FA qualifications are often recruited on salaries ranging from Rs7,000 to Rs10,000 per month, while students are charged fees of around Rs1,500 each. Union representatives also alleged widespread violations of employment agreements in outsourced schools. According to them, teachers are reportedly made to sign salary receipts showing payments of Rs17,000 per month, despite actually receiving only Rs7,000. Allegations of fake student enrolments have also surfaced. Education leaders warned that the continued transfer of public educational institutions into private hands amounts to closing the doors to free education. They argued that the policy is steadily destroying the dream of quality public education for children from poor families. They demanded an immediate halt to the privatisation of educational institutions, insisting that the provision of free education remains a constitutional and moral responsibility of the state. Meanwhile, a total of 9,217 high and higher secondary schools are currently operating under the Punjab Education Department across Punjab, but the absence of permanent heads has severely affected the administrative and academic functioning of these institutions. No regular headmasters, headmistresses or principals have been appointed in government high and higher secondary schools for the past three years. Instead, schools are being run under an ad hoc arrangement merely to manage day-to-day affairs. Out of the 9,217 institutions, only 2,973 have permanent headmasters or principals, while 6,244 schools are functioning without regular heads. This means that nearly two-thirds of Punjab's high and higher secondary schools are operating without permanent administrative leadership. Although temporary and inexperienced acting heads have been assigned in some institutions, their appointments are also on an interim basis, further aggravating the situation.

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Pakistan moves to salvage fragile ceasefire

Pakistan on Sunday stepped up its diplomatic engagement with key regional and international players as fresh exchanges of fire between Iran and the United States threatened to unravel the fragile ceasefire and jeopardise the implementation of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a series of telephone conversations over the last 48 hours with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Iran, besides separately speaking with British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas. The flurry of diplomatic contacts came as fresh US-Iran military exchanges cast a shadow over the MoU both sides signed on June 18, committing to end hostilities on all fronts. The latest escalation followed US allegations that Iran was behind attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Washington responded with strikes on Iranian military targets, prompting retaliatory missile and drone attacks by Tehran against US facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait. The renewed hostilities have once again put the future of the Islamabad MoU in jeopardy. Diplomatic sources said Pakistan was in close contact with all stakeholders in an effort to prevent the situation from spiralling into a wider regional conflict. During his conversation with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Dar conveyed Pakistan's condolences over the helicopter crash in Saudi Arabia that claimed 14 lives. He expressed sympathies on behalf of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and the people of Pakistan. Prince Faisal thanked Pakistan for the brotherly gesture. The two leaders also discussed the evolving regional situation and expressed concern over the latest escalation, with Dar reiterating Pakistan's commitment to continue working for peace under the Islamabad MoU. Prince Faisal also conveyed his intention to visit Pakistan at the earliest mutually convenient date. In his conversation with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, Dar briefed her on Pakistan's continued diplomatic efforts aimed at developing a comprehensive framework for peace and stability in the Middle East. Kallas appreciated Pakistan's role in facilitating the signing of the Islamabad MoU but expressed serious concern over the recent ceasefire violations and stressed the importance of keeping channels of communication open. The two sides agreed to remain in close contact. The Bahraini foreign minister, Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, congratulated Pakistan on the signing of the Islamabad MoU and praised Islamabad's constructive role in facilitating the understanding between Washington and Tehran. Al Zayani expressed hope that the agreement would contribute to lasting peace and stability in the region and said he would visit Pakistan soon to personally thank the Pakistani leadership for its efforts. Dar also spoke to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, reaffirming Pakistan's commitment to playing a constructive role in achieving lasting peace and stability in the region and beyond. Araghchi appreciated Pakistan's continued support in advancing the peace process and thanked Islamabad for facilitating the safe repatriation of Iranian crew members and fishermen. Separately, British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper reiterated London's appreciation for Pakistan's sustained efforts for peace and stability in the region that culminated in the signing of the Islamabad MoU. Diplomatic sources said Pakistan was particularly concerned that the latest military exchanges could derail efforts to transform the ceasefire into a broader political settlement. Major differences still remain between Washington and Tehran over several contentious issues, including the future security architecture of the Strait of Hormuz, sanctions relief and the interpretation of key clauses of the MoU. The renewed tensions have also raised fears in Islamabad that instability in the Gulf could adversely affect global energy markets and maritime trade routes, with the Strait of Hormuz remaining one of the world's most critical oil transit chokepoints. Pakistani officials said Islamabad would continue engaging both regional and international players in an effort to preserve the ceasefire and prevent the latest military exchanges from escalating into a broader regional conflict.

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IHC rules travel bans require due process

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ruled that travel restrictions on citizens can only be imposed by a competent legal authority and strictly according to the procedure prescribed by law, declaring that names cannot be placed on the Passport Control List (PCL) without due process. In a significant judgment on citizens' right to travel, the court ordered the immediate removal of petitioner Zain Atiq's name from the PCL, holding that his continued inclusion on the list was unlawful. According to the judgment, Atiq's name was placed on the PCL after he was deported from Turkiye in July 2022. Subsequently, FIA recommended removing his name from the list upon the petitioner's request, noting that more than two years had elapsed since his deportation. However, the Passport Authority rejected his application on the ground of non-prosecution. The court observed that a person deported for illegal entry or any other prohibited act cannot be kept on the PCL indefinitely without the approval of a competent authority. The judgment noted that the record did not show that any competent authority had ever decided to retain the petitioner's name on the PCL. It observed that the record showed no evidence of any conviction or pending criminal case against him in Pakistan or in Turkiye. Referring to the Shireen Mazari case, the IHC reiterated that travel restrictions on citizens can only be imposed by a lawful authority through the procedure laid down by law. It held that the relevant authorities had failed to fulfil the legal requirements in the present case. While observing that the Passport Authority has the final authority in such matters, the court ruled that the FIA's recommendation could not be ignored without sound legal reasons. The judgment further noted that no criminal proceedings were pending against the petitioner, there was no record of any conviction by a competent court, and no other legal basis existed to justify continuing his inclusion on the PCL. In the absence of any lawful determination by a competent authority, the court held, the petitioner's name could not remain on the PCL. Consequently, the IHC directed the authorities to immediately remove Zain Atiq's name from the PCL.

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Sargodha police arrests 3 suspects for allegedly burying boy alive after reporting rape attempt

A 14-year-old boy was allegedly buried alive in a village on the outskirts of Mari Lak in Punjab's Sargodha district after he reported an old rape attempt, police said on Saturday, adding that a case was registered and three suspects were arrested. The injured boy was rescued and taken to the District Headquarters Hospital, where doctors said his condition was out of danger. According to police, the 14-year-old was allegedly subjected to a rape attempt around 20 days ago. However, the family did not approach police at the time, due to which no action was taken then. The police initially arrested two suspects, while the main suspect was later taken into custody. Read More: Child's brutal rape, murder shakes the city Sargodha District Police Officer Muhammad Suhaib Ashraf said the incident was being investigated from all angles and that the suspects would be dealt with in accordance with the law. He said it was too early to conclude the allegations, adding that a final opinion would be formed after forensic reports. Read: Operator rapes boy in lift, gives him Rs100 to shut up The boy told The Express Tribune that after he complained about the incident, the suspects became angry and decided to punish him. “He (the primary suspect) decided to teach me a lesson. On Muharram 9, I was picked up from outside my house in the afternoon and severely beaten by him along with two accomplices,” the boy said. “He later took me to a deserted area where bushes were growing and a hole had already been dug by a wild animal. I was thrown into it and covered with soil,” he added. A first information report (FIR) was registered on Friday on the complaint of the boy's mother at Jhal Chakian Police Station under Sections 34 (common intent), 324 (attempted murder) and 376(3) (rape of minor) and identified three suspects. According to the FIR, a copy of which is available with The Express Tribune, she stated that on June 25 at around 4:30pm, her 14-year-old son left home to attend a gathering but did not return till late night, prompting the family to inform the police via helpline 15. She further stated that the following day she and her husband were still searching for the boy when they suddenly heard a child crying. Upon reaching the spot, they found the child buried in the ground, with only his leg visible. Police and Rescue 1122 teams were called again, after which Rescue 1122 personnel retrieved the child and took him to the DHQ Hospital. The FIR added that when the child regained consciousness, he stated that around 20 days earlier he had told the elder brother of the main suspect that his sibling had subjected him to indecent assault. Also Read: Child abuse cases in Pakistan rise 8% to 3,630 in 2025: Sahil He further said that on June 25, while he was on his way to a gathering at around 5pm and reached Dera Wadhra, the main suspect intercepted him and questioned him about disclosing the incident to his older brother. The FIR stated that the other two suspects also arrived at the scene, after which all three abused and assaulted him and took him to nearby fields, where they subjected him to violence and buried him in the ground. Terming the incident a grave injustice, the complainant requested legal action against the suspects, seeking justice and their punishment.

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Sargodha police arrests 3 suspects for allegedly burying boy alive after reporting rape attempt

A 14-year-old boy was allegedly buried alive in a village on the outskirts of Mari Lak in Punjab's Sargodha district after he reported an old rape attempt, police said on Saturday, adding that a case was registered and three suspects were arrested. The injured boy was rescued and taken to the District Headquarters Hospital, where doctors said his condition was out of danger. According to police, the 14-year-old was allegedly subjected to a rape attempt around 20 days ago. However, the family did not approach police at the time, due to which no action was taken then. The police initially arrested two suspects, while the main suspect was later taken into custody. Read More: Child's brutal rape, murder shakes the city Sargodha District Police Officer Muhammad Suhaib Ashraf said the incident was being investigated from all angles and that the suspects would be dealt with in accordance with the law. He said it was too early to conclude the allegations, adding that a final opinion would be formed after forensic reports. Read: Operator rapes boy in lift, gives him Rs100 to shut up The boy told The Express Tribune that after he complained about the incident, the suspects became angry and decided to punish him. “He (the primary suspect) decided to teach me a lesson. On Muharram 9, I was picked up from outside my house in the afternoon and severely beaten by him along with two accomplices,” the boy said. “He later took me to a deserted area where bushes were growing and a hole had already been dug by a wild animal. I was thrown into it and covered with soil,” he added. A first information report (FIR) was registered on Friday on the complaint of the boy's mother at Jhal Chakian Police Station under Sections 34 (common intent), 324 (attempted murder) and 376(3) (rape of minor) and identified three suspects. According to the FIR, a copy of which is available with The Express Tribune, she stated that on June 25 at around 4:30pm, her 14-year-old son left home to attend a gathering but did not return till late night, prompting the family to inform the police via helpline 15. She further stated that the following day she and her husband were still searching for the boy when they suddenly heard a child crying. Upon reaching the spot, they found the child buried in the ground, with only his leg visible. Police and Rescue 1122 teams were called again, after which Rescue 1122 personnel retrieved the child and took him to the DHQ Hospital. The FIR added that when the child regained consciousness, he stated that around 20 days earlier he had told the elder brother of the main suspect that his sibling had subjected him to indecent assault. Also Read: Child abuse cases in Pakistan rise 8% to 3,630 in 2025: Sahil He further said that on June 25, while he was on his way to a gathering at around 5pm and reached Dera Wadhra, the main suspect intercepted him and questioned him about disclosing the incident to his older brother. The FIR stated that the other two suspects also arrived at the scene, after which all three abused and assaulted him and took him to nearby fields, where they subjected him to violence and buried him in the ground. Terming the incident a grave injustice, the complainant requested legal action against the suspects, seeking justice and their punishment.

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