The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has identified five networks engaged in illegal kidney transplants in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, culminating a year-long inquiry that has led to multiple arrests and seizures throughout the province.
Investigators reported that the networks ran transplant operations through a web of contacts, coordinators, and local agents.
Over the past year, authorities have arrested eighteen suspects, while five transplant centers in Peshawar, Nowshera, and Mardan have been shut down. The centers operated from private residences to evade detection, with FIA estimating the per site cost at approximately PKR 3 million.
Officials noted that the networks utilized agents who preyed on financially struggling individuals. Many donors originated from various regions in Punjab, such as Lahore, often emerging from brick-kiln communities where families have limited financial opportunities.
Agents matched the donors with patients, most of whom came from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Typically, samples from both patient and donor were collected in Peshawar before transplant teams transported patients to Rawalpindi for procedures.
The estimated cost for a transplant ranged between PKR 4 million to 5 million. Donors generally received around PKR 300,000, while the remainder was allocated among agents, surgeons, and facilitators. FIA confirmed that numerous individuals connected to these networks reside in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The operations functioned through private meetings, restricted locations, and communication among coordinators managing logistics, donor movements, and matching.
This year, eight FIRs have been filed, while the medical licenses of surgeons associated with illegal activities have been revoked. Under current laws, individuals participating in the illegal organ trade may face prison sentences of up to ten years.