A special court in Gujranwala on Thursday convicted another deportee for attempting illegal migration, raising the total number of convictions to 64, as authorities intensify a crackdown on human trafficking networks across central Punjab.
Latest Conviction Details
The Special Judge Central in Gujranwala convicted the deportee under Section 17(1) of the Emigration Ordinance, 1979, which pertains to unlawful emigration. The court sentenced him to the period already served in judicial custody and imposed a fine of Rs50,000. The convict, a resident of Gujranwala, was among those repatriated from Libya or Greece after being intercepted while attempting to reach Europe illegally.
Background of Repatriations
Nearly a month ago, around 200 Pakistanis were intercepted by Libyan authorities while attempting to travel to Italy by boat. With the assistance of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), they were repatriated on two special flights. Approximately 90 of these deportees hailed from the Gujranwala region, prompting the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to launch prosecutions through its circles in Gujranwala, Gujrat, and Sialkot.
Summary Trials and Sentences
Over the past two weeks, special courts in Gujranwala, Gujrat, and Sialkot have convicted 64 deportees in summary trials after they admitted to illegally crossing international borders. Most convicts received prison terms ranging from 10 to 15 days, along with fines between Rs25,000 and Rs50,000. According to court rulings, the time already spent in judicial custody—typically 10 to 15 days—was counted toward the sentence, allowing convicts to secure release after paying the fines.
The FIA registered cases against the deportees through its Gujranwala, Gujrat, and Sialkot circles before producing them before the relevant courts. The crackdown reflects Pakistan's efforts to combat human trafficking and deter illegal migration, which has led to numerous deaths and exploitation of vulnerable individuals.
