ISLAMABAD - Chief Justice of Pakistan Anwar Zaheer Jamali has taken suo motu notice regarding the illegal sale of kidneys in Punjab, which is bringing a bad name to the country all over the world.

The two-judge bench of apex court, headed by chief justice himself will take up the matter today (Thursday), wherein the Punjab government will submit its response regarding the allegations levelled by Director Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation Dr Abidul Hasan Rizvi.

Dr Rizvi submitted two different applications, wherein he requested the CJP to use his good office to halt illegal sale of kidneys in Pakistan.

The applicant stated that illegal transplantation of organs especially kidneys is bringing a bad name to the country.

He stated that President Transplantation Society Kuwait informed that 11 cases of illegal transplants have been conducted in Pakistan during 2016. He also particularly mentioned that three cases, including a son and a mother all transplanted at the Bader Medical Complex Lahore.

Likewise, two Saudi nationals have been admitted to a hospital in Jeddah in a very bad condition after getting unrelated transplantation in May in Pakistan. The applicant said that he has received an email from Dr Francis Delmonico, Executive Director of the Declaration of Istanbul Custodian Group (DICG) regarding the illegal transplantation activity in Pakistan.

It is the international body under the aegis of WHO to take measures to protect the poor and vulnerable from the transplant tourism and to address the wider problem of international trafficking of human organs and tissues. Pakistan is the signatory of this Declaration and the applicant (Dr Rizvi) is the member of the steering committee of DICG.

The applicant said that he was obliged to inform the DICG about the steps taken against the culprits. He also stated that an email has also been received from Canada, wherein it is alleged that illegal kidney transplantation was carried out at Al Syed Hospital Rawlapindi.

The medicinal condition of the recipient of the transplanted kidney is life threatening. Needless to say the sale of kidney is forbidden under “Transplantation of Human Organs and Tussues Act 2010” and carries a heavy penalty and imprisonment.

Dr Rizvi further informed that he also received an email by steering committee member from Australia and ex-president International Transplantation Society Jeremy Chapman, wherein he also reported of illegal kidney transplant in Gujrat city. The health of both donor and donee are now at serious risk and doctors have made a bonanza.