An Islamabad court on Monday placed prime suspect Muhammad Noman in police custody for five days of physical remand. He is accused in an alleged fraud case involving Laiba Ijaz, a graduate of the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) who reportedly took her own life after discovering that her travel documents were forged.
Laiba’s body was reportedly found hanging by the roadside in G-10, which falls under the jurisdiction of Ramna police station. Her death has drawn attention to the allegations of fraud made against Noman and others.
Suspect produced before court and investigators’ statements
Noman was presented before Judicial Magistrate Zunaira Zafar at the District and Sessions Courts in Islamabad. The investigating officer told the court that a thorough examination of all facts and circumstances was necessary. He said further inquiries were needed in light of the available evidence and preliminary findings.
The officer added that the suspect’s alleged role in the incident still had to be determined and the evidence verified. Items linked to Noman, along with other possible evidence, would also be examined as part of the probe. Noman was arrested from the H-13 sector of Islamabad.
According to the investigation, there is evidence of Noman’s alleged involvement in online fraud and the blackmailing of women. Sources said he had previously worked at the Anti-Corruption Establishment in Quetta but was suspended. He had also worked for a company in Islamabad.
FIR alleges visa scam and fake bank documents
Police have unsealed a first information report (FIR) registered at Ramna police station on October 10. The complainant, Muhammad Ijaz, who is the victim’s father, has alleged that Noman and a woman named Aiza are responsible for his daughter’s death.
The FIR states that Noman met Laiba six to seven months earlier near the Blue Area in the capital, where he interviewed her. According to the complaint, Noman presented himself as an influential person and a high official in Islamabad. He allegedly offered to arrange a US study visa for the victim.
The complainant said an amount of Rs9.3 million was agreed upon as the total cost of the visa and travel process. He stated that he paid Rs2.1 million in cash in the presence of witnesses, and that Laiba later transferred Rs2.9 million from her bank account to Noman.
The complainant further said Noman later brought travel documents to his shop and showed a receipt for a $20,000 bank transaction. Both the documents and the receipt turned out to be fake, according to the FIR. When the complainant questioned Noman, the FIR says, Noman stopped answering his calls.
Alleged pressure from Aiza before the death
The FIR also names Aiza, a young woman whom Noman introduced to Laiba. According to the complaint, Aiza repeatedly pressed the victim for more money, leaving her under extreme mental stress.
The case remains under investigation, and officials have said the remand will allow authorities to verify the evidence and establish the suspect’s role.
