Naqvi returns Rs5.1m to family of student who died by suicide after fraud

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Wednesday handed over Rs5.1 million to the family of Laiba Ejaz, an Islamabad student who died by suicide after allegedly being defrauded, and assured them that the remaining amount would also be returned soon.

Naqvi, accompanied by Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, visited Laiba’s family in Sector G-10 of Islamabad to offer condolences. They also recited Surah Al-Fatiha and prayed for the deceased.

During the meeting, the interior minister briefed the family on progress in the case and handed over Rs5.1 million recovered from the money allegedly taken through fraud. He assured them that efforts were underway to return the remaining amount soon.

Islamabad Chief Commissioner, Inspector General of Police and other relevant officials also accompanied the ministers.

Laiba’s father thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Naqvi, saying he had previously heard that the state was like a mother but had come to believe it after the support extended to his family.

Speaking to the media later, Naqvi described the case as sensitive and said he did not wish to disclose details at this stage. He said the entire team had worked day and night on the investigation and that fulfilling the commitment made to the family was his responsibility.

The development comes a day after the prime suspect in the fraud case, Nauman, was killed in an alleged encounter in Islamabad.

Police said he was wounded when two motorcycle riders opened fire on police personnel while a team was taking him for recovery of evidence based on his identification.

The suspects’ gunfire also hit Nauman, who later died at a hospital.

Police had named Nauman in the case involving Laiba, who allegedly died by suicide within the limits of Ramna police station.

Laiba, a gold medallist in the BS programme at the International Islamic University Islamabad, wanted to pursue further education in the United States.

According to her family, she was asked to pay Rs7 million for admission to a US university, a visa and a scholarship.

Her father sold a plot of land and paid Rs2.1 million in advance, but the admission documents later turned out to be fake, according to the family.

They alleged that Laiba suffered severe emotional distress after discovering the fraud and subsequently died by suicide. Police launched an investigation after the family sought action against those allegedly involved.

According to police, Nauman had collected a substantial amount from Laiba by promising to arrange higher education, a visa and a scholarship in the United States, and provided her with forged documents.

Police also accused him of defrauding nine other people by promising them government jobs and collecting hundreds of thousands of rupees from them.