Islamabad, October 15, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The death of a Pakistani university student who reportedly died by suicide after discovering that the US university admission and scholarship she believed she had secured were fake has raised serious concerns about alleged fraud targeting young people seeking higher education abroad.
Laiba Aijaz, a gold medal-winning student at the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), had aspired to study at Harvard University. According to a report published in Pakistani newspaper The Friday Times, she allegedly paid PKR 9.3 million to individuals who promised to arrange her admission, a scholarship and a US visa. The promised opportunities were allegedly supported by forged university documents.
In a report published on October 15, journalist Omar Quraishi described the incident as a reflection of the risks faced by students and their families when seeking overseas education through unregulated consultants.
The report highlighted concerns about education and visa consultancy services in Pakistan, where some operators allegedly exploit students’ ambitions by promising admission to prestigious foreign universities, scholarships, student visas and even guaranteed immigration. While legitimate consultants operate in the sector, inadequate oversight can leave prospective students vulnerable to fraudulent claims and financial losses.
According to a First Information Report (FIR) registered by Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on October 10, two individuals, identified as Muhammad Nauman and Fatima Sarwar, also known as Aiza, allegedly obtained PKR 9.3 million from Aijaz by promising to secure a US visa and university scholarship.
The FIR states that PKR 2.9 million was transferred through a bank account, while the remaining amount was paid in cash. Investigators allege that the individuals supplied fake scholarship letters, university admission offers and fee payment receipts.
The FIR also refers to Aijaz’s subsequent death. However, the FIA document, as described in the report, does not specify the cause of death. The circumstances surrounding the incident therefore remain subject to the findings of the relevant investigation.
The case has drawn attention to the need for stronger oversight of education consultancy services and greater scrutiny of claims made to students seeking admission to foreign universities. Prospective applicants and their families face significant financial and emotional risks when relying on intermediaries who claim to guarantee admissions or scholarships.
The incident underscores the importance of verifying admission offers, scholarship awards and payment requests directly with universities and authorised institutions before transferring substantial sums of money.
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