ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has taken notice of the death of Laiba Ijaz, a 20-year-old student of the International Islamic University Islamabad, who was allegedly defrauded of Rs5 million by a travel agent promising to arrange a US student visa.
According to the family, FIA Director Shehzad Bukhari has taken notice of the case, and the agency has contacted relatives to gather information about the alleged fraud and the circumstances surrounding her death.
Laiba’s maternal uncle, Rana Amjad, confirmed that the FIA had reached out to the family in connection with the matter.
Police said Laiba’s body was discovered hanging from a tree in a green belt near Itwar Bazaar in Sector G-10, within the jurisdiction of Ramna police station.
The deceased, a resident of G-10 Markaz, had reportedly paid Rs5 million to a travel agent who promised to facilitate her journey to the United States for higher education. However, she allegedly discovered that the documents provided to her were fake.
Police officials said Laiba was reportedly under severe mental distress after learning about the alleged deception. She left her home at around 2pm without informing her family.
Her relatives later tracked her mobile phone’s location and reached the green belt near Itwar Bazaar, where they found her body, police said.
Initial information suggested a suspected suicide, but authorities are investigating the case to determine the exact circumstances of her death.
Investigators are also looking into the alleged financial fraud and the travel agent’s role in receiving the money for her proposed US education trip.
Officials said the post-mortem examination and further investigation would help establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
