ISLAMABAD: A 20-year-old student of the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), identified as Laiba Ejaz, was found dead in a green belt in the capital’s G-10 area on Friday, with police investigating the circumstances surrounding her death and allegations of fraud involving her plans to study in the United States.
According to police, Laiba had allegedly paid Rs5 million to an agent to facilitate her travel to the US. Reports say she later discovered that documents provided to her were allegedly fake.
Laiba’s family told media outlets that she had completed her BS in Physics with a gold medal and hoped to pursue further studies at Harvard University. Relatives alleged that an education consultant had promised to secure her admission and scholarship, but the documents supplied were found to be fraudulent.
The family reportedly sold a plot of land and used other financial resources to meet the consultant’s demands. Relatives also alleged that the consultant had received a separate payment after promising to arrange a government job for Laiba’s brother.
Police said Laiba left home at around 2pm on Friday. Her family later traced her location and found her body near an old traffic police post close to Sunday Bazaar. Personnel from Ramna Police Station and the Homicide Investigation Unit reached the scene and collected evidence.
Initial police assessments indicated a suspected suicide, but officials said the circumstances of her death remain under investigation. Authorities are examining the alleged fraud, the authenticity of the documents and any possible connection between the financial dispute and the incident.
No final findings establishing the cause of death or criminal responsibility have been reported.