{
  "id": 13020156,
  "title": "17-year jail term each for two human traffickers in Gujranwala",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/17-year-jail-term-each-for-two-human-traffickers-in-gujranwala",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-09T03:49:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn - Pakistan",
    "slug": "dawn-pakistan",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2035779/17-year-jail-term-each-for-two-human-traffickers-in-gujranwala"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a recent court hearing, two human traffickers were sentenced to 17 years each in rigorous imprisonment, along with a fine of Rs1.1 million, in Gujranwala. The victims, Hamza Ashraf and Arslan, were found guilty of receiving Rs3.8 million from a complainant for sending his brother-in-law to Europe. However, the brother-in-law was instead transported to Turkey, where he endured forced confinement and severe physical abuse. He remains missing to this day. The case was initiated by the Federal Investigation Agency in Gujranwala after the arrest of the two convicts. In addition to the primary sentence, the court also imposed three-year terms and fines of Rs300,000 each under Section 17 of the Immigration Ordinance 1979, as well as seven-year sentences and Rs500,000 fines each under Section 22 of the same ordinance. Furthermore, the defendants received seven-year sentences and Rs300,000 fines each under Section 6 of the Prevention of Smuggling of Migrants Act 2018. The judge has also stipulated a six-year extra imprisonment if the fine is not paid.",
  "summary": "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…",
  "key_points": [
    "Two human traffickers sentenced to 17 years each in Gujranwala.",
    "Victims Hamza Ashraf and Arslan forced to Turkey, endured abuse.",
    "Additional sentences imposed under multiple ordinances for smuggling."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The stiff sentences reflect the court's effort to crack down on human trafficking, signalling a tougher stance on those who exploit vulnerable individuals for financial gain.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}