SC summons report on illegal Organ trade in country

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court Wednesday directed to submit proposals and recommendations to halt illegal organ transplant trade in the country by March 14 and adjourned the hearing into the case till March 17.

A three-member bench of the court headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar and comprising Justice Umar Ata Bandial and Justice Ijazul Ahsan heard the suo moto notice case over the illegal transplantation of kidney cases.

During the course of proceedings, Dr Mirza Zafar informed the court that the national or provincial authorities responsible to stem the illegal trade did not have the necessary authority.

Justice Umar Ata Bandial asked how authorities could curb transplants that took place at secret locations, Dr Zafar replied law enforcement agencies could assist in this regard.

The chief justice then remarked that sometimes, law enforcement agencies compromise on their position. He observed that there is a lot of money involved in the illegal transplant trade.

He observed that they can only point out loopholes in a law and not force lawmakers to legislate.

He also observed that the illegal transplantation of kidneys was a great evil and that nobody should be forced to donate their organs.

Dr Zafar said that the surgical procedures take place at hidden places and there exists no authority at the local or national level to combat this menace. He further stated that authority at the provincial and federal level was impotent. The Additional Advocate General Punjab said that authorities were present in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

The chief justice remarked that it was impossible that no authority was present at the local level according to the federal and provincial laws against illegal transplantation. He remarked that in this case, the lack of implementation of laws was the main stumbling block. Saying that nobody can force the lawmakers to legislate more laws, the CJP said we can definitely point out the flaws in the law.

Dr Mirza said that there was still lack of awareness amongst people about organ donation. “There are people out there who want to donate their organs, but the concerned authorities need to devise a proper procedure to donate organs.”

The court directed the authorities to submit a report on ways to curb the illegal trade on March 14 and adjourned the hearing until March 17, when it will be held at the Karachi Registry.