IIUI gold medalist Laiba Ijaz dies after alleged Rs 70 lakh Harvard admission fraud

The death of Laiba Ijaz a 22-year-old gold medalist in Physics at the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), has brought renewed attention to alleged fraud involving overseas university admissions. According to a report by Minute Mirror investigators are examining allegations that a man obtained approximately Rs 70 lakh from her family by falsely promising admission to Harvard University.

ISLAMABAD: The death of Laiba Ijaz a 22-year-old gold medalist in Physics at the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), has brought renewed attention to alleged fraud involving overseas university admissions. According to a report by Minute Mirror investigators are examining allegations that a man obtained approximately Rs 70 lakh from her family by falsely promising admission to Harvard University.

FIA Director General Dr. Usman Anwar reportedly told Minute Mirror that the case involved alleged impersonation rather than a conventional visa consultancy scam. According to his account, the suspect identified as Hamad allegedly claimed to work at the Supreme Court and used purported connections in the United States to gain the family’s confidence. A woman allegedly assisted him by posing as a contact based in America.

Fake Harvard admission letter under investigation

The report states that Laiba received an admission letter claiming to offer a place in a Master of Science programme in Physics alongside a scholarship. Investigators reportedly identified discrepancies in the document, including inconsistencies involving its date, payment details and student identification number. The document was allegedly rejected during her US visa interview.

According to the family’s account, Laiba’s father who earns a living selling milk in Islamabad’s G-10 Markaz, sold a plot of land and the family also used her mother’s jewellery to meet the financial demands. The suspect allegedly collected additional money after promising to arrange a government job for Laiba’s brother.

Police and FIA investigate

Laiba’s body was reportedly discovered in a green belt near G-10, Islamabad and transferred to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences for examination. Authorities have said that the final cause of death requires further medical and forensic findings. Digital evidence including electronic devices and communications, was reportedly submitted for analysis.

The report also states that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed relevant authorities to pursue the case and that FIA teams were working to trace the suspects. The official records and the continuing investigation must determine these developments and the allegations against the involved individuals.

Stronger verification of admissions called for

The case has sparked fresh concerns about misleading overseas education offers and the financial vulnerability of families chasing international opportunities for their children. Education experts and university administrators can help mitigate such risks by requiring students to verify admission letters directly with universities and to verify the credentials of education agents before making payments.

No allegation of criminal responsibility should be treated as a judicial finding unless established as such by due process of law.