KARACHI, April 7: Justice Ataur Rahman of the Sindh High Court asked an appellant on Monday to show cause why his punishment for sending people abroad on fake documents for forced labour should not be enhanced.

Raja Fayyaz Husain was convicted by the central judge (special) under the Immigration Act of 1979. He was found guilty of accepting Rs140,000 each from two people, Zamarrud Iqbal and Safdar, for arranging their migration to Malaysia for gainful employment. However, co-accused Malik Sajid Husain, who travelled with them, handed them over to “an agent” in Bangkok, Thailand. They wrote back to their families that they had not been taken to Malaysia but were doing forced labour in Bangkok as illegal immigrants. A report was lodged with the Federal Investigation Agency, which prosecuted the case before the special judge.

Fayyaz was convicted under section 20 (2) (b) of the 1979 Act and sentenced to four years in jail. Co-accused Sajid was also convicted and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment under section 17 (2) (b) for assisting Fayyaz. Both challenged their conviction and sentences in the high court and both were issued notices by the appellate judge, Justice Ataur Rahman, why their sentences should not be enhanced. Section 20 (2) (b) provides for a maximum jail of 14 years or fine or both whereas section (2) (b) prescribes a maximum sentence of five years or fine or both.

As Sajid appeared on Monday, he requested withdrawal of his appeal against his conviction and pleaded for reduction in his sentence. He said he was also deceived by the main accused.