FIA arrests Sialkot agent over fake HEC scholarship scam

News Desk

Islamabad: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Anti-Human Trafficking Circle Islamabad has arrested an alleged human smuggler and agent accused of defrauding students by promising fake admissions to a US university and bogus Higher Education Commission (HEC)-funded scholarships.

According to the FIA, the accused, identified as Muhammad Zohaib son of Muhammad Zulfiqar Bhatti, was arrested from Sialkot on July 23, 2026, during an operation conducted by the Islamabad Zone’s Anti-Human Trafficking Circle.

The FIA said Zohaib was allegedly operating a consultancy firm in Sialkot under the name “Broadway Consultancy” and had been involved in deceiving students and applicants seeking higher education opportunities abroad.

During the investigation, officials found that the accused allegedly collected around $10,000 from each victim by falsely promising admissions to the University of Nevada, Reno and PhD scholarships supposedly funded by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan.

The agency further stated that the suspect provided applicants with fake and forged documents bearing the name of the Higher Education Commission. These documents were later declared fraudulent after verification by HEC authorities.

A case has been registered against the accused under FIR No. 188/26 under Sections 420 (cheating), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), and 109 (abetment) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

The operation was carried out by ASI Mazhar Shah and the FIA team led by Assistant Director Investigation Muhammad Noman.

The FIA said further investigation into the case is underway to identify other possible victims and uncover the wider network involved in the alleged fraud.