Clinic sealed over alleged sale of newborns

Acting on a tip-off, police raided a private clinic in the suburban locality of Sheikham near Sarai Mughal, uncovering a suspected network involved in the illegal buying and selling of newborn babies. During the raid, authorities collected key evidence from the premises and registered a case against those allegedly involved, triggering widespread concern and alarm among local residents over the existence of such an inhumane practice in the area. A case of alleged buying and selling of newborn babies has surfaced in the suburban area of Sheikham near Sarai Mughal, triggering widespread concern among residents. Police from Saddar Sarai Mughal carried out a raid on a private clinic following a tip-off, collecting crucial evidence and registering a case against those involved. Police said the clinic had been operating illegally for nearly a year. The staff, posing as qualified doctors and nurses, were reportedly handling delivery cases of unmarried women. Initial investigations suggest that newborn babies delivered at the facility were secretly sold. As per the First Information Report (FIR), after the birth of a child to an unmarried woman, the accused—identified as Rabia, Waqas and Waris, allegedly sold the newborn for Rs48,000 to Zafar Iqbal and Shamim Bibi. Police said an unidentified driver was also involved in the transaction and efforts are underway to trace him. Station House Officer (SHO) Amir Aslam said that a case has been registered and investigations are in progress. During raids, three suspects, including a woman, were arrested. The arrested individuals were identified as Sarwar, Zafar Iqbal, and Rabia, while raids are being conducted to apprehend other suspects. The SHO revealed that the clinic had been operating in the area for about a year, raising concerns that the illegal trade of newborns may have been ongoing for a considerable period. He added that further investigation is expected to uncover more aspects of the network. Following the police raid, teams from the Health Department Pattoki also reached the site. Deputy District Health Officer Dr Shahzaib ordered the immediate sealing of the clinic. Authorities confirmed that the case has been forwarded to the Drug Court for further legal proceedings.