Pakistani Couple Arrested for Trying to Sell Baby

A Pakistani couple has been arrested in Lahore for attempting to sell their five-month-old baby girl.

Police in the city’s Gulberg area intercepted the illegal transaction, which involved a planned sale of the infant for Rs. 600,000 (£1,600).

The parents, along with an accomplice named Ravi, were taken into custody before the deal could go through.

According to investigators, Ravi had initially bought the baby from the couple for Rs. 300,000 (£800), and later attempted to sell her at a profit.

Ravi was taking the help of two others – Gulzeb and a woman identified as Nirmal.

Authorities seized a vehicle and two mobile phones used in the attempted sale.

The child has since been rescued and handed over to the Child Protection Bureau.

A formal case was registered, and police confirmed that the parents will also face legal action for their role in selling their own child.

On social media, people were infuriated by another child trafficking attempt.

A user wrote: “Such people don’t deserve to be blessed with children!”

One commented: “Imagine the number of cases that don’t get reported. There is a reason people aren’t afraid to attempt this.”

Another wrote: “Poor child!”

Sadly, this isn’t the first time a Pakistani couple has made headlines for trying to sell a baby.

In November 2024, police in Karachi arrested a married couple who had purchased a baby.

The newborn girl was bought from a health worker for Rs 250,000 (£670). Their plan was to sell the baby on for Rs. 800,000 (£2,100).

In 2017, a man in Tando Allahyar sold his one-day-old son to another Pakistani couple for Rs. 15,000 (£40).

He allegedly did it to pay for his wife’s hospital expenses.

The baby was recovered after his mother filed a kidnapping report, which led to a police raid.

Multiple arrests were made, including the intermediary who arranged the sale.

A similar case from 2015 involved a Pakistani couple in Drig who sold their eight-month-old daughter to repay a disputed debt of Rs 30,000 (£80).

The family claimed they were pressured by a local police officer, who allegedly detained a relative until the money was paid.

These repeated cases highlight a grim reality.

The economic desperation, lack of regulation, and weak child protection enforcement have created conditions where selling babies becomes an option for some.

Without immediate and sustained intervention, more children remain at risk of being commodified by a broken system.