The number of deportees convicted after being returned from Libya and Greece for attempting illegal migration has risen to 64, as Pakistani authorities continue a broad crackdown on human smuggling and unlawful overseas travel.

The latest conviction came on Thursday when a Special Judge Central in Gujranwala sentenced a man under Section 17(1) of the Emigration Ordinance, 1979, which relates to illegal emigration. The court ordered the sentence to cover the period already spent in judicial custody and imposed a fine of Rs50,000.

The case is part of a wider legal campaign launched after nearly 200 Pakistanis were repatriated from Libya last month. The individuals had reportedly been detained by Libyan authorities while attempting to travel to Italy by boat through irregular migration routes.

The deportees were brought back to Pakistan on two special flights arranged with the support of the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Officials said around 90 of those returned belonged to the Gujranwala region.

Following their arrival, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) registered cases through its Gujranwala, Gujrat and Sialkot circles and presented the accused before special courts.

During the past two weeks, courts in the three districts have convicted 64 deportees in summary trials after they admitted to illegally crossing international borders. Most received prison terms ranging from 10 to 15 days and fines between Rs25,000 and Rs50,000.

Authorities say the ongoing operation is aimed at discouraging illegal migration and dismantling human trafficking networks that exploit people seeking work and better opportunities abroad. Investigations into the facilitators and organizers behind these migration attempts are continuing.