Islamabad Student Suicide: PM Shehbaz Orders Action After Education Scam Death
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken notice of the Islamabad student suicide involving Laiba Ijaz, a student at the International Islamic University Islamabad, after her family said they lost nearly Rs7 million to a fraudulent education consultant. Laiba was found dead near a road in the capital on Friday, a day before her funeral was held. Her family alleges a man posing as an immigration and scholarship agent defrauded them with fake Harvard admission documents.
The prime minister called the incident “extremely regrettable” and directed the Islamabad police chief and chief commissioner to arrest the accused immediately and pursue exemplary punishment under the law.
What Happened to Laiba Ijaz
Neighbors describe Laiba as an exceptionally talented and studious student. She hoped to continue her education at a university in the United States. Her family says a man introduced himself and claimed he could secure her a scholarship and admission abroad.
According to relatives, the family paid close to Rs9.3 million in total. Part of the money went through Laiba’s personal bank account, and the family handed over the rest in cash. They paid on promises that later proved fabricated.
Mourners from her neighborhood gathered on Saturday to pay their respects, and the family offered Laiba’s funeral prayers that day.
FIA Registers Case, Arrests Main Suspect
The Federal Investigation Agency’s Anti-Human Trafficking Circle in Islamabad opened an inquiry after the family approached the agency following Laiba’s burial. The FIA registered a case against two suspects, Muhammad Nauman and Fatima Sarwar, under the cheating and fraud sections of the Pakistan Penal Code, along with provisions of the Emigration Ordinance, 1979.
Investigators say the accused prepared forged scholarship award letters, fake university admission offers, and fabricated fee receipts to convince the family the process was legitimate. The FIA has arrested the main suspect and is questioning him, while its teams continue raids to locate any other individuals connected to the case.
Family’s Account of the Scam
The family told investigators the suspect claimed to be an accounts officer at the Islamabad High Court, and at other times described himself as an employee of the superior judiciary or a sensitive institution. He allegedly presented Laiba with a forged Harvard University admission letter and told her a woman in the United States, supposedly his business associate, would help facilitate the process.
Communication between the suspect and the family reportedly took place entirely over WhatsApp. The family also says the suspect took an extra Rs500,000 after promising to arrange a government job for Laiba’s brother, a claim that also turned out to be false.
The International Islamic University had reportedly already offered Laiba a scholarship to study in Saudi Arabia after she earned strong results in her bachelor’s degree. When she mentioned this to the suspect, he allegedly told her he could arrange something better in the US instead.
Interior Minister Vows Swift Justice
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited Laiba’s family. Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry was with him. They offered condolences and promised justice.
Naqvi later spoke to reporters. He said authorities would arrest everyone involved. He added that authorities would recover the stolen money. The government would punish those responsible under the law.
Naqvi called the case a “test case” for tackling fraud networks. He said the main suspect is not part of a larger gang. In his words, the man is a swindler.
The minister said Prime Minister Shehbaz had personally directed him to ensure arrests. He promised to oversee the case himself.
Naqvi also spoke about the government’s anti-trafficking efforts. He said the European Union had acknowledged a drop of up to 64 percent in human smuggling. He said Türkiye had noted a decline in trafficking linked to illegal gangs. According to him, it fell from 70 percent to 17 percent.
NCCIA Capacity and Cyber Fraud Complaints
Naqvi noted that Pakistan’s National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency currently has a staff of just 61 people handling roughly 3,000 complaints a day. He said recommendations to strengthen the agency’s capacity have been forwarded to the prime minister, and that the NCCIA’s complaint system is being integrated with the Pak ID platform so victims can track case progress.
FAQs
1. Who was Laiba Ijaz?
Laiba Ijaz was a student at the International Islamic University Islamabad. Her family says they lost nearly Rs7 million to a fraudulent education consultant. He had promised her a US scholarship.
2. What is the Islamabad student suicide case about?
It concerns the death of student Laiba Ijaz. Her family alleges a man cheated them with forged Harvard admission and scholarship documents. This happened before her death.
3. Who are the suspects arrested by the FIA?
The FIA registered a case against Muhammad Nauman and Fatima Sarwar. The main suspect has been arrested. He is now being interrogated.
4. What action did PM Shehbaz Sharif take?
PM Shehbaz took notice of the incident. He ordered the Islamabad police chief and the chief commissioner to arrest the accused immediately. He also called for exemplary punishment under the law.
5. How much money did the family lose in the scam?
The family says they paid close to Rs9.3 million in total. The payments were made on fake scholarship and admission promises.
6. What role did Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi play?
Naqvi visited the grieving family. He pledged to arrest everyone involved and recover the money. He also said he would personally oversee the case.
7. What charges do the suspects face?
The suspects face Sections 419, 420, and 109 of the Pakistan Penal Code. They also face Sections 18 and 22 of the Emigration Ordinance, 1979.