FIA Arrests Agent Over Fake HEC Scholarships and US University Admissions
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Anti-Human Trafficking Circle Islamabad has arrested an alleged agent accused of taking USD 10,000 from each victim by promising fake HEC scholarships and admission to a US university.
According to the FIA, the suspect, identified as Muhammad Zohaib, son of Muhammad Zulfiqar Bhatti, was arrested in Sialkot on July 23, 2026, during an operation conducted by the FIA Anti-Human Trafficking Circle Islamabad.
The suspect was allegedly operating an agency called “Broadway Consultancy” in Sialkot. During the investigation, authorities found that he had allegedly deceived several students and applicants by promising them admission to the University of Nevada, Reno, in the United States, along with HEC-funded PhD scholarships.
The suspect allegedly collected USD 10,000 from each victim and provided them with forged and fabricated documents in the name of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan. The documents were later verified by the HEC and declared fake.
A case has been registered against the suspect under FIR No. 188/26, under Sections 420, 468 and 109 of the Pakistan Penal Code. The operation was carried out by an FIA team led by Assistant Director Investigation Muhammad Noman, along with ASI Mazhar Shah and other FIA officials.
