GUJRAT: The Gujranwala special judge central (SJC) on Wednesday convicted two human traffickers involved in the June 2023 Libyan boat capsize tragedy and sentenced them 22-year rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs1.4 million each.

The Federal Investigation Agency, Gujranwala Zone, had lodged a case number 201/23 dated 20/06/23 u/s 17/22 EO 1979, 6 PSMA 2018, against the suspects namely Muhammad Aslam and Muhammad Nadeem.

Both had extorted an amount of Rs6.2 million from the complainant to send his two sons to Italy for employment, but the immigrants died in the boat incident in Libya; hence, this case was registered and trial was conducted in the court of SJC.

As per the court judgment, under Section 17 of the Emigration Ordinance 1979, both the suspects were awarded five-year rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs200,000, and in case of default, they will have to undergo simple imprisonment for three months.

Under Section 22 of the Emigration Ordinance, 1979, seven-year RI with fine of Rs200,000, and in case of default, simple imprisonment for three months and under Section 6 of the Prevention of Smuggling of Migrants Act, 2018, rigorous imprisonment for 10 years with fine of Rs1m each and in case of default, simple imprisonment for six months, were awarded.

Published in Dawn, May 14th, 2026