Islamabad (HRNW) — A Special Court (Central) in Rawalpindi has sentenced two men to a combined 41 years in prison in a case involving the alleged use of fake experience certificates to send 92 nurses to Saudi Arabia. The court also ordered compensation of Rs9.2 million for the affected nurses.
According to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Islamabad Zone, Special Court (Central) Rawalpindi Judge Abdul Rehman Muhammad Arif announced the verdict in FIR No. 103/2024, registered at the FIA ACC Islamabad, under relevant provisions of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), Emigration Ordinance 1979 and Prevention of Corruption Act 1947.
The case concerned the alleged sending of 92 nurses to Saudi Arabia on the basis of fake experience certificates. According to the FIA, the nurses were subsequently deported from Saudi Arabia within approximately one month. Progress reports in the case were also regularly submitted to the Prime Minister’s Office, the agency said.
Conviction of Ghulam Zulfiqar Ali
The court sentenced Ghulam Zulfiqar Ali alias Mian Zulfiqar, son of Din Muhammad, to:
- 7 years’ rigorous imprisonment and Rs100,000 fine under Section 420 PPC;
- 7 years’ rigorous imprisonment and Rs100,000 fine under Section 468 PPC;
- 7 years’ rigorous imprisonment and Rs100,000 fine under Section 471 PPC;
- 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment and Rs200,000 fine under Section 18 of the Emigration Ordinance 1979; and
- 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment and Rs200,000 fine under Section 22 of the Emigration Ordinance 1979.
The court ordered that all the sentences would run concurrently.
Under Section 544-A of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the court also directed the convict to pay Rs100,000 to each of the 92 affected nurses, amounting to a total of Rs9.2 million. The compensation will be distributed among the victims through the FIA Islamabad Director.
Sentence and Acquittal of Ghulam Fareed
The second accused, Ghulam Fareed, son of Muhammad Sadiq, was sentenced to three years’ rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs200,000 under Section 18 of the Emigration Ordinance 1979.
The court acquitted him, giving him the benefit of doubt, in relation to Section 22 of the Emigration Ordinance 1979 and Sections 420, 468 and 471 PPC.
According to the FIA, both convicts were subsequently handed over to Central Jail Rawalpindi.
The FIA Islamabad Zone said the investigation was conducted under the supervision of the Director FIA Islamabad Zone and led by Deputy Director Afzal Khan Niazi. Investigating officers Sub-Inspector Kashif Riaz Awan, Sub-Inspector Ehtesham Gondal and AD Legal Salahuddin contributed to the investigation, collection of evidence and preparation of the challan.
The FIA said it would continue taking legal action against individuals allegedly involved in immigration fraud and human trafficking.
Human Angle
Fraudulent immigration schemes can cause serious financial, professional and personal harm to people seeking employment or professional opportunities abroad. The court-ordered compensation in this case highlights the importance of legal remedies and financial redress for people affected by immigration-related fraud.
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Important Note / Disclaimer: This report is based on information provided by the FIA and details of the court verdict as reported by the agency. The legal status of the convictions remains subject to any applicable appeal and further judicial proceedings.
