Pakistan diplomatic missions face scrutiny over alleged financial irregularities

Pakistan’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has uncovered significant alleged financial irregularities across several overseas diplomatic missions. During a review of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ audit objections for the 2023-24 financial year, lawmakers identified multimillion-rupee embezzlement and mismanagement.

In Austria, an accountant is accused of diverting Rs165.6 million into personal bank accounts held by himself and his wife. While two FIRs were registered and the individual was arrested, PAC Chairman Syed Naveed Qamar expressed concern regarding the lack of progress in the investigation. Similarly, an inquiry into the alleged embezzlement of Rs29 million at the embassy in Bulgaria has faced delays due to government austerity restrictions on official travel.

The committee also highlighted issues regarding educational funding. More than Rs1.22 billion in Higher Education Commission (HEC) funds is reportedly being held at the embassy in the United States without being distributed to students. Additionally, the HEC was directed to recover over 360,000 euros allegedly withdrawn from education funds by the embassy in Berlin. Other investigations involve questionable community welfare spending in Abu Dhabi and irregularities in Dhaka.