A special judge in Gujranwala, on Tuesday, sentenced two human traffickers, Muhammad Sarwar and Muhammad Rauf, to 33 years in prison each and imposed a fine of Rs1.8 million on each of them. The verdict was issued in case No. 505/23, registered by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on December 5, 2023, under various legal provisions related to human trafficking and emigration fraud.
Details of the Crime
The prosecution revealed that the convicted individuals had received Rs700,000 from a complainant with the promise of sending his brother to Italy. However, after the emigrant arrived in Libya, Sarwar and Rauf took him hostage, subjected him to physical abuse, and extorted an additional Rs2.55 million from his family in Pakistan. Despite receiving this extra amount, the traffickers failed to send the victim to Italy or return him to Pakistan, leaving him missing since then.
FIA’s Efforts and Investigation
The case was prosecuted by FIA Assistant Director (Legal) Asfahan Akram Kang, and the investigation was led by Inspector Shafique. The FIA’s successful investigation brought the traffickers to justice, highlighting the agency’s commitment to combating human trafficking and emigration fraud.
Another Human Trafficking Case
In a separate case (No. 139/21), the court sentenced Shabbir Hussain to five years in prison and imposed a fine of Rs0.5 million for extorting Rs1.46 million from a complainant under the false pretense of sending his son to the United States. Like the earlier case, Hussain did not fulfill his promise, leaving the victim and his family in distress.
A Strong Message Against Human Trafficking
These sentences serve as a strong deterrent against human trafficking and fraudulent emigration practices. The court’s rulings emphasize the importance of accountability and justice for victims of such crimes.
