GUJRAT: The special judge (central), Gujranwala, on Thursday handed down a 17-year rigorous imprisonment, besides a fine of Rs1.1 million, each, to two human traffickers.

According to the prosecution, the convicts – Hamza Ashraf and Arslan – along with two others, were booked in a case (595/2025) on the charges of receiving a sum of Rs3.8 million from the complainant, for sending his brother-in-law to Europe.

However, the complainant’s brother-in-law was sent to Turkiye, where he was forcibly kept in a safe house and was also subjected to severe physical torture. The victim has been missing since then.

The two other suspects in the case – Sufiyan and Qasim – are at large.

The case was lodged by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Gujranwala circle after arrest of the two convicts.

The judge awarded a three-year imprisonment and Rs300,000 fine each to both convicts under Section 17 of the Immigration Ordinance 1979, as well as a seven-year term and Rs500,000 fine each under Section 22 of the same ordinance. They were also handed down a seven-year term and Rs 300,000 fine each under Section 6 of the Prevention of Smuggling of Migrants Act 2018.

The judge also announced a six-year additional imprisonment for the convicts in case of non-payment of the fine amount.

Published in Dawn, October 9th, 2026