Police said Shama paid the bills, took the newborn away under the pretext of help and then sold the baby to a couple in Punjab.
A mother holds her newborn baby after the child was recovered by the Punjab Police following a case of kidnapping and illegal sale. Photo by author
Karachi police have recovered a newborn baby allegedly kidnapped and sold in Punjab and returned the child to his parents, officials said on Sunday. The case prompted authorities to seal the clinic where the baby was delivered, while the search continues for two suspects accused of orchestrating the trafficking.
According to police, the child was taken to Zehra Clinic in Memon Goth soon after his birth. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Malir Abdul Khaliq Pirzada said clinic employee Shama Baloch and a woman identified as Dr Zahra were involved in the “selling of the child in Punjab”.
“Several searches have been carried out. The two suspects will soon be apprehended and brought to court,” said SSP Pirzada, confirming that no arrests have been made so far.
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The matter came to light after the child’s father, Sarang, filed a complaint. His wife, Shehnaz, who was living with her parents due to domestic problems, was advised by Dr Zahra to undergo a C-section. When the family said they couldn’t afford the surgery, the doctor referred them to Shama, who claimed she worked for an organization helping poor families.
Police said Shama paid the medical expenses and, after delivery, took the newborn away under the pretext of support. However, when Sarang tried to contact the clinic about her child, she was given Shama’s number, which later turned out to be switched off. Fearing that his child had been sold, he alerted the authorities.
“Shama introduced herself as an NGO worker and convinced the mother that the child would have a better future if placed in her care,” said SSP Pirzada. “The mother did not know that the baby was going to be trafficked. »
Investigation soon revealed that the baby had not been handed over to an NGO as claimed, but had been sold to a childless couple in Punjab.
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The case was registered with charges of kidnapping and human trafficking under sections 363 and sections 3, 4 and 5 of the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act, 2018.
Police confirmed that pressure on the suspects led to the baby’s return from Punjab. The baby has since been reunited with his parents.
Authorities have closed the Zehra clinic and are investigating whether similar cases could have occurred. The search for the two suspects continues.
