The Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Anti-Human Trafficking Circle has arrested Mubina Qasim, the head of a private NGO, on serious charges of trafficking orphaned children abroad under the guise of welfare work.
The arrest was made after Qasim’s pre-arrest bail plea was rejected. The operation was launched following a formal complaint lodged by the US Consulate General in Karachi, which flagged irregularities in multiple adoption cases.
According to the FIR, Qasim operated an unregistered organization named Hope, which is suspected of sending at least 23 orphaned children overseas between 2006 and 2015. The children were reportedly sent to families in the US, UK, Canada, UAE, and even within Pakistan. The NGO was not registered with the Sindh Social Welfare Department and had no official child shelter.
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Investigations revealed that the accused used fake guardianship documents, forged medical records, and fabricated legal paperwork to process visa applications, primarily to the United States. Many of the children had been found abandoned near hospitals and were later routed to families through Hope’s internal network.
The US Consulate’s concerns triggered an FIA investigation, leading to Qasim’s arrest. Authorities stated that more arrests could follow as the probe deepens. The FIR further highlights allegations of abuse and neglect, claiming that children under Hope’s care were fed leftover food and provided inadequate shelter.
This case has raised serious concerns about regulatory oversight on child welfare organizations in Pakistan and the exploitation of vulnerable children under the pretense of humanitarian aid.
