The prime suspect in the case involving the death of former International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) student Laiba Ejaz has allegedly been shot dead by his own accomplices during an exchange of fire with police in Islamabad, a spokesperson has said.
The suspect, Muhammad Nauman, was in police custody and was being taken to a location for recovery based on information he had provided when the incident occurred, the spokesperson added.
According to police, four of Nauman’s accomplices arrived on two motorcycles and opened fire on the police team in an attempt to free him. Nauman sustained gunshot wounds from his accomplices’ firing while police personnel remained unharmed because they were wearing bulletproof jackets and had taken other precautionary measures.
The injured suspect was taken to hospital for treatment but later died, the spokesperson confirmed. Police said that they were conducting search operations to arrest the remaining suspects.
Laiba was found hanging from a tree near a road in Islamabad on October 9 after her family allegedly lost millions of rupees to a consultant who had promised to secure her admission and a scholarship at an American university.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took notice of the case and directed the Islamabad Inspector General of Police (IGP) and chief commissioner to take immediate action. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also pledged to look into the matter personally.
The Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Anti-Human Trafficking Circle in Islamabad registered a case against Nauman and Fatima Sarwar under Sections 419, 420 and 109 of the Pakistan Penal Code, alongside Sections 18 and 22 of the Emigration Ordinance, 1979. The charges relate to cheating, dishonestly inducing the delivery of property and abetment.
The FIA’s preliminary investigation found that the suspects allegedly worked together to deceive Laiba’s family with promises of a US visa and scholarship. The agency said that they received Rs9.3 million (Rs 93 lacs) and allegedly provided fake scholarship letters, university admission offers and fee receipts.
According to the FIA, Rs2.9 million (Rs 29 lacs) was transferred through Laiba’s personal bank account while the remaining amount was paid in cash.
The family said that Laiba had hoped to study at Harvard University and that they had sold assets to finance her education. Her father sold a plot, contributing Rs2.1 million (Rs 21 lacs) from the proceeds, while her mother sold her gold jewellery.
Laiba’s maternal uncle Rana Amjad said that the admission and scholarship documents supplied by the suspect proved fake after verification. He added that Laiba suffered severe distress after the alleged fraud came to light.
The family has demanded a full investigation, the arrest of everyone involved and the recovery of the money.
