20-year-old physics gold medallist committed suicide after allegedly being scammed of Pakistani Rs 93 lakh over promise of getting an admission in Harvard
A 20-year-old Pakistani student, Laiba Ijaz, died by suicide on October 9 after allegedly being defrauded of millions of rupees by an agent who promised to secure her admission to Harvard University, a scholarship and a US visa. Police had sought 10 days of remand to investigate his alleged role, verify evidence and examine witness statements. The committee will meet on October 15, according to police reporting. Noman allegedly introduced himself as a senior official in Islamabad and offered to arrange a US study visa for Laiba for Rs 9.3 million.
Laiba’s father said the family had met Noman around six to seven months before her death, according to the police FIR. Senior lawyer Raja Naveed Kiyani said police and the FIA could register separate FIRs over the same incident. Judicial magistrate Zunaira Zafar passed the order after police produced Noman in court with his face covered. Pakistan’s Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights has also sought a detailed inquiry into Laiba’s death and the alleged fraud. Islamabad’s inspector general of police, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) director general and the Higher Education Commission chairman have been directed to attend. He explained that the FIA could pursue its own investigation and seek Noman’s custody through the court after he was transferred from police custody to judicial remand.
An Islamabad court on Monday granted police five days of physical remand of the main accused, Muhammad Noman, in connection with the case, Voice PK reported.
Family alleges loss of Pakistani Rs 9.3 million
Laiba had left home around 2pm, telling her mother she would return shortly. When she failed to come back, her family searched for her and tracked her location using her mobile phone. They found her body and informed the police, who took it to a hospital.
The committee has sought details of the case registration, the suspect’s arrest and the investigation so far. It has also asked authorities to report on steps taken to cancel the licence of the educational consultant accused of issuing fake documents.