Judicial Magistrate Karachi East handed over the prominent social activist Sarim Burney granting his two days' physical remand to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Thursday.
According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, Sarim Burney was arrested yesterday upon his arrival in Karachi from the United States. He is facing serious charges of illegal sending of children abroad.
Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) produced Sarim Barney in court where his lawyers declared the case as fake and requested to discharge him.
After hearing the arguments of the law enforcement agency, the court rejected the request to discharge Saram Birni from the case and granted his two days remand to FIA.
The court also asked the investigating officer to produce a progress report on the next hearing.
Earlier today, the court heard the arguments of both sides and reserved the verdict for a while. Later, the court pronounced the decision of granting remand to FIA.
On the occasion, Sarim Burney’s supporters who were present in the courtroom shouted slogans.
According to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Burney has been under surveillance for a considerable time, accused of illegally sending children to the United States.
In the court, the investigating officer explained that the girl Haya was transferred to Dubai illegally on behalf of Sarim Burney. The person named Ayaz handed over the girl to Sarim Burney by pretending to be her father but was not her father.
Sarim Buney told the court that some people from the US Embassy had come to them. They informed these people that someone had left this child with them.
Sarim Burney said now if someone wants to become a guardian, how can he refuse?
Sarim Burney added the statement that in the documents, the girl was written 'Abandon', which was a mistake by one of his lawyers and it was a technical error that could have been corrected.
He said though he was trying to save the life of a child but they [FIA] made me such a big criminal. He added that a campaign has been going on against him for 12 years.
Yesterday, Burney's legal team, led by lawyer Qadir Hussain, quickly arrived at the FIA office following his arrest. Hussain stated, "We have received information that he has been arrested on his return from America. We have arrived here, but we are not being allowed to meet him."
He added that they were preparing to file a petition against the FIA in the High Court.
Burney's wife, Alia Sarim, expressed shock and disbelief at the allegations.
"Sarim has been doing this work for 30 years. The allegations made are surprising and unfounded," she said.
Alia suggested that the accusations were part of a conspiracy against her husband, emphasizing his long-standing commitment to social work through the shelter home he has been running for thirty years.
"There is no case, only allegations," Alia stated. "If I say anything more, it will defame Pakistan. My husband has been accused of a heinous crime, but this is a conspiracy. People committing such a crime do not travel in economy class." She firmly defended her husband's innocence, questioning the basis of the charges.
On the other hand, Sarim Burney while talking to the media outside the court rejected all charges against him and clarified his position in the case.
Reporter: Jawad Asif