What happened?
A 20‑year‑old university student from Islamabad, Laiba Ijaz, was found dead in her residence on Tuesday, with police confirming that she took her own life after being swindled out of roughly Rs 5 million by a travel agency that promised to arrange her relocation abroad.
Why does it matter?
The tragedy underscores a growing pattern of high‑value travel scams that prey on young Pakistanis eager to study or work overseas. Such schemes not only devastate families financially but also raise serious concerns about the adequacy of consumer protection mechanisms for students handling large sums of money.
Who is involved?
Investigators have identified the travel operator, a locally registered firm that marketed “guaranteed visa and flight packages” through social media. The agency’s representatives are now the subject of a criminal inquiry, while Laiba’s family has lodged a civil complaint seeking restitution of the lost funds.
What happens next?
Authorities have launched a formal fraud probe and urged other students to verify the legitimacy of travel agencies before making any payments. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has also announced plans to issue public awareness guidelines to curb similar fraudulent practices across the country.