A local court in the city on Tuesday denied bail to social worker Sarim Burney, who is involved in a human trafficking case.
Judicial Magistrate (East) Khaliq ul Zaman issued the order following the completion of arguments from Burney’s attorney and the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) lawyer.
The FIA’s prosecutor informed the court that further evidence against Burney was forthcoming. Due to his continuous deception, the FIA counsel argued that releasing Burney on bail could jeopardize the investigation.
Additionally, the FIA attorney presented a statement from the mother of baby girl Haya, alleging that Burney refused to return her daughter despite her pleas.
Conversely, Burney’s lawyer contended that the FIA failed to investigate thoroughly. He explained that the parents who adopted the baby initially handed her over to the Sarim Burney Trust from the hospital, asserting that the adoption process complied with all legal standards.
“The FIA has levied charges but has yet to produce supporting evidence,” Burney’s attorney stated.
Previously, the court had ordered Burney to jail on judicial remand over the weekend, turning down the FIA’s request to extend his physical remand.
Burney, who heads the non-profit Sarim Burney Welfare Trust International, was arrested on June 5 at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi upon his return from the United States.
His arrest followed allegations of human trafficking, smuggling, and illegal transportation of children to the US, prompted by a complaint from American authorities.
According to the FIA, Burney is implicated in the case of a newborn girl named Haya, whom he allegedly purchased from her parents for Rs1 million and then sent to the US.
