Suspect in alleged visa fraud case remanded for five days

A court in Islamabad on Monday remanded Muhammad Noman in police custody for five days in a case involving alleged visa fraud and the death by suicide of Laiba Ijaz, a graduate of the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI).

ISLAMABAD: A court in Islamabad on Monday remanded Muhammad Noman in police custody for five days in a case involving alleged visa fraud and the death by suicide of Laiba Ijaz, a graduate of the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI).

Laiba’s body was reportedly found in Islamabad’s G-10 sector, within the jurisdiction of Ramna police station.

Noman was produced before Judicial Magistrate Zunaira Zafar at the District and Sessions Courts in Islamabad.

During the hearing, the investigating officer told the court that further investigation was needed to examine the evidence and establish the facts of the case.

Noman was arrested in Islamabad’s H-13 sector.

Investigators are examining allegations of his involvement in online fraud and the blackmail of women. The suspect had previously worked at the Anti-Corruption Establishment in Quetta, where he was suspended, and later worked for a company in Islamabad, according to sources.

A copy of the first information report (FIR), registered at Ramna police station on October 10, has also emerged.

In the FIR, Laiba’s father, Muhammad Ijaz, alleges that Noman and a woman identified as Aiza were responsible for circumstances surrounding his daughter’s death. The allegations have not been established in court.

According to the complaint, Noman interviewed Laiba about six to seven months ago near Blue Area, a commercial district in the capital. He allegedly presented himself as an influential person and claimed to hold a senior government position in Islamabad, offering to arrange a US study visa for her.

The complainant said the total cost of the visa and travel arrangements was agreed at Rs9.3 million. He said he paid Rs2.1 million in cash in the presence of witnesses, while Laiba later transferred Rs2.9 million from her bank account to Noman.

The father further alleged that Noman provided a receipt purporting to show a $20,000 transaction for a bank statement, but that the documents and receipt were later found to be fake. The report does not specify who verified their authenticity.

According to the FIR, Noman stopped answering the complainant’s calls after being questioned about the documents. Aiza, whom Noman had introduced to Laiba, allegedly continued to press her for more money, leaving her under severe mental stress, the complaint said.