Sarim Burney remains in jail as court rejects second bail plea in human trafficking case

A local court in Karachi has announced its reserved judgment, rejecting the bail plea of prominent social activist Sarim Burney in a case involving document forgery and human trafficking. 

The Judicial Magistrate East ruled against Burney’s request for bail, marking the second time his bail plea has been dismissed.

Sarim Burney, who is currently in judicial remand, sought relief from the court but was unsuccessful. 

The court’s decision comes as a significant development in the ongoing legal proceedings against him.

Yesterday, a District and Session Court in Karachi reserved the decision on the bail application of the social activist Sarim Burney in the document tempering and human trafficking case. 

The applicant’s counsel, Amir Nawaz Waraich, submitted in his arguments that FIA has not yet submitted the final challan. Amir Nawaz Waraich submitted that the court has also given the children’s custody to trust on the application of custody.

The decision to take the trust into government custody was also withdrawn, lawyer Saram Burney argued. Concerned parents could also not submit any documents related to the children, Amir Waraich Advocate further argued.

Sarim Burney was arrested upon his arrival in Karachi from the United States, facing serious charges of human trafficking on June 5, 2024.

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.

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 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.

Reporter: Jawad Asif