A chilling wave of organ trafficking has gripped Islamabad, as authorities uncover a sinister network of gangs luring young people with promises of lucrative jobs, only to abduct them and harvest their organs, particularly kidneys, for sale on the black market.

Islamabad, Pakistan - August 2, 2025

A chilling wave of organ trafficking has gripped Islamabad, as authorities uncover a sinister network of gangs luring young people with promises of lucrative jobs, only to abduct them and harvest their organs, particularly kidneys, for sale on the black market. This alarming trend, highlighted in a recent YouTube video exposé, has sparked outrage and prompted urgent action from local law enforcement.

The video, uploaded to YouTube, details how criminal syndicates in Islamabad exploit vulnerable youth, particularly those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, by advertising fake job opportunities. These scams often target individuals seeking employment in urban centers, offering high-paying positions in sectors like construction, hospitality, or domestic work. Once lured, victims are abducted, and their organs—primarily kidneys—are surgically removed for illegal sale, fetching high prices in underground markets both domestically and internationally.

Local police have reported a surge in missing persons cases linked to these schemes, with at least 20 confirmed incidents in the past six months. “These gangs are highly organized, using social media and fake recruitment agencies to trap their victims,” said Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad, Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, in a press briefing. “We are working tirelessly to dismantle these networks and bring the perpetrators to justice.”

The YouTube video, which has garnered significant attention, features interviews with survivors who narrowly escaped these trafficking rings. One survivor, a 22-year-old from Rawalpindi, recounted being promised a job as a driver, only to be drugged and transported to an undisclosed location. “I woke up in a small room with medical equipment. They told me I’d be ‘helping someone’ by giving up a kidney,” he said. He managed to escape before the procedure, alerting authorities to the operation.

Pakistan’s proximity to conflict zones and its history of lax regulation in organ trade have made it a hub for such illegal activities, despite the passage of the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act in 2010, which aimed to curb illegal transplants. Experts estimate that a single kidney can fetch between $10,000 and $20,000 on the black market, driving the demand for such heinous crimes.

The video also highlights the complicity of rogue medical professionals who perform these illegal surgeries in makeshift clinics. Authorities have raided several such facilities in Islamabad’s outskirts, arresting five individuals, including two doctors, in a recent operation. Seized equipment and records revealed a sophisticated network with ties to international buyers.

Community leaders and activists are now calling for greater awareness and stricter enforcement. “Young people need to be educated about these scams,” said Ayesha Khan, a local NGO worker. “We’re urging the government to launch campaigns warning about fake job ads and to strengthen oversight of medical facilities.”

The Islamabad police have established a special task force to investigate organ trafficking and are collaborating with federal agencies to track cross-border connections. Meanwhile, the public is urged to verify job offers through official channels and report suspicious activities to the authorities.

As the investigation unfolds, the YouTube video continues to serve as a stark reminder of the dangers lurking behind seemingly innocent opportunities, prompting a citywide call to protect Pakistan’s youth from falling prey to these ruthless gangs.

For more information on staying safe from job scams, contact the Islamabad Police Helpline at 15 or visit their official website.