The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested the chief executive of a private consultancy in Islamabad over an alleged fraud. The FIA Anti-Human Trafficking Circle Islamabad detained Wasil Azad, CEO and owner of IEIS Consultants, from Phase 7 of a private housing society. Officials said the team also recovered Rs. 1.6 million that the suspect allegedly took from the complainant.
Moreover, the case involves a UK student visa application that the consultancy never filed before the deadline. According to officials, the FIA registered a case against Azad in February 2026. It invoked Sections 18 and 22 of the Emigration Ordinance 1979, along with Sections 420, 506 and 109 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Investigators said Azad allegedly worked with his associates to process the visa application of Muhammad Zahid’s wife. Those associates include directors Salman and Zulqarnain and visa consultant Saadia. The complainant allegedly paid £4,000 through Teesside University’s online payment link in May 2025 on the accused’s instructions.
However, the accused allegedly failed to submit the application and required documents before the deadline. As a result, the applicant could not travel to the UK and lost the amount. The family lost both the money and the chance to travel.
Furthermore, officials said the suspects allegedly threatened the complainant when he repeatedly sought a refund. Therefore, the complaint led to a formal case under both the Emigration Ordinance and the penal code.
FIA officials said the roles of the other suspects will be determined during the investigation. Officials have not said whether more arrests will follow. Meanwhile, the investigation into the consultancy and its staff is continuing. Still, the FIA has not yet described what role each associate played.
Cases like this show how missed deadlines can end an entire study plan. Therefore, anyone applying for a UK student visa through a consultant should confirm deadlines directly with the university. Finally, a court has yet to rule on the allegations against Azad.
