Islamabad gold medalist’s death: FIA takes notice of alleged fraud

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24-year-old found hanging from tree near Islamabad’s Sunday Bazaar after family allegedly lost millions to consultant

A promising student’s dream of pursuing higher education in the United States has ended in tragedy, with her family alleging that an education consultant defrauded them of millions of rupees by providing fake admission and visa documents.

The 24-year-old woman, who had completed her BS degree with a gold medal, was found hanging from a tree along a green belt near Islamabad’s Sunday Bazaar. Police initially treated the incident as an apparent suicide, but the exact cause and circumstances of her death remain subject to investigation.

Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Director Shahzad Bukhari has taken notice of the case and contacted the deceased student’s family to obtain details about the alleged fraud.

The FIA has requested complete information from the student’s maternal uncle, Rana Amjad, who confirmed that the agency had contacted him.

According to the family, a consultant demanded Rs7 million to arrange the student’s admission to a university in the United States. Her father sold a plot of land to finance his daughter’s education and paid Rs2.1 million, while her mother pledged her jewellery at a bank to help arrange the remaining amount.

The family said the consultant ultimately received around Rs5 million but provided forged documents instead of securing the promised educational opportunity.

The student had reportedly been led to believe that she could study at Harvard University and pursue her ambition of becoming a physicist.

The family said the student’s hopes were shattered when the documents supplied by the agent were verified and found to be fake. The allegedly forged papers included university admission documents, a visa and bank statements. The discovery left the family devastated after making substantial financial sacrifices to support the student’s future.

Her maternal uncle described her as an exceptionally bright student who had attended university on a scholarship and completed her BS degree with a gold medal. He said she had hoped to continue her education in the United States and become a physicist at Harvard University.

In a final message to her maternal uncle, the student reportedly disclosed the alleged fraud and pleaded with him not to tell her father about what had happened.

“Don’t tell Dad; it would kill him,” she reportedly wrote, expressing concern about the impact the revelation would have on her father after the family’s sacrifices for her education.

The student’s body was discovered hanging from a tree in the green belt near Sunday Bazaar in Islamabad. Police initially classified the incident as an apparent suicide.

Authorities have recorded an initial report, while a formal first information report (FIR) is expected to be registered on the complaint of her maternal uncle following the post-mortem examination.

Investigators will have to establish the circumstances and cause of death. Whether the case involves suicide or another cause will be determined through the investigation and relevant forensic findings.

The student’s funeral prayers were offered in Sector G-10, after which she was buried at the H-11 graveyard in Islamabad.

A sombre atmosphere prevailed in the area following her death, with neighbours expressing grief over the loss of a promising young woman. Her family has been left devastated and is seeking justice over the alleged fraud.

The family has appealed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other relevant authorities to take notice of the case and ensure accountability.

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