Slug: naqvi-hands-rs5-million-laiba-ejaz-family
Category: National News
Focus keyphrase: Laiba Ejaz
SEO title: Naqvi Gives Rs5m to Laiba Ejaz Family, Updates Case Probe
Meta description: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi gave Rs5 million recovered from the prime suspect to Laiba Ejaz’s family in Islamabad and briefed them on the probe.
Tags: Laiba Ejaz, Mohsin Naqvi, Talal Chaudhry, Islamabad, visa fraud, FIA, Harvard scholarship
Original element: our own data point — Feature Pakistan’s four-part Laiba Ejaz case timeline (the PM’s notice, the FIA arrests, the co-suspect’s interim bail and the prime suspect’s death) gives readers the full case background, linked below.
Naqvi Hands Rs5m Recovered Cash to Laiba Ejaz’s Family, Briefs Them on Case
ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Wednesday handed Rs5 million in recovered cash to the family of Laiba Ejaz, the gold-medallist student whose death in an alleged scholarship fraud case drew national attention earlier this month.
Naqvi visited the family’s residence in G-10, Islamabad, alongside Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry. He offered condolences, joined the family in prayers for the student, and briefed them on progress in the investigation, The Express Tribune reported.
Laiba’s father told the newspaper that the Rs5 million was recovered by police from the prime suspect in the case. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the interior minister for their support.
The minister’s message to the family
Naqvi told the family that the entire investigation team had worked day and night on the case. “The entire team worked day and night on the Laiba Ejaz case. Fulfilling the promise made to you was our duty,” he said.
Laiba’s father said the family now believed the state stood with them. “We had heard that the state is like a mother. Today, we have come to believe it,” he said.
The visit came days after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took notice of the gold medallist’s death and directed the inspector general of Islamabad police and the chief commissioner to take immediate action against those responsible.
Laiba Ejaz case: what happened
Laiba, who had dreamed of studying at a top university in the United States, was found hanging from a tree near a road in Islamabad on October 9. Her family says they lost around Rs7 million to a consultant who had promised to secure her admission and a scholarship.
Her father sold his plot and contributed Rs2.1 million from the proceeds, while her mother sold her gold jewellery, to fund what they believed was their daughter’s academic future.
The Federal Investigation Agency’s Anti-Human Trafficking Circle in Islamabad later registered a case against the prime suspect and a co-suspect under Sections 419, 420 and 109 of the Pakistan Penal Code, read with Sections 18 and 22 of the Emigration Ordinance, 1979.
According to the FIA, the suspects allegedly received Rs9.3 million from the family in total. Of this, Rs2.9 million was transferred through Laiba’s personal bank account while the rest was paid in cash. The agency said the suspects prepared fake scholarship award letters, university admission offer letters and fee payment receipts to keep the family convinced the process was genuine.
The family said the suspect claimed at different times to be an accounts officer at the Islamabad High Court, an employee of the superior judiciary, or an officer of a sensitive institution. Laiba’s maternal uncle, Rana Amjad, said the Harvard University admission letter, scholarship letter and other documents turned out to be fake when verified.
The investigation so far
The prime suspect, identified as Muhammad Nauman, died a day before the minister’s visit after being wounded by gunfire from his own accomplices during an exchange of fire with police in Islamabad. Feature Pakistan reported the suspect’s death after police confirmed the incident.
According to police, Nauman was in custody and being taken for recovery when four accomplices on two motorcycles ambushed the team to free him. Nauman was hit by their fire and later died in hospital; the policemen were unharmed. Raids to arrest the remaining suspects continue.
A co-suspect in the case had earlier been granted interim bail by a sessions court.
Frequently asked questions
Who visited Laiba Ejaz’s family?
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry visited the family’s residence in G-10, Islamabad, on October 21, 2026.
How much money was returned to the family?
Rs5 million, which Laiba’s father said was recovered by police from the prime suspect in the scholarship fraud case.
What is the Laiba Ejaz case about?
Laiba, a gold-medallist student who aspired to study at Harvard University, died on October 9 after her family allegedly lost millions to a consultant who promised her US admission and a scholarship through fake documents.
What action has been taken against the suspects?
The FIA registered a fraud and human-trafficking case against the suspects. The prime suspect, Muhammad Nauman, died after being shot by his own accomplices during a police recovery operation, while a co-suspect received interim bail. Raids to arrest the remaining suspects continue.
