ISLAMABAD: A major alleged corruption scandal has surfaced at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with an investigation report claiming that Rs12 billion was illegally collected from citizens during the process of document attestation.
A copy of the investigation report submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has emerged. The report was prepared by a four-member committee headed by Director General Audit Inspection Dr Ahmed Ali Sarohi.
According to the report, a network involved in collecting money from citizens during the attestation of documents was identified. It stated that citizens were allegedly charged up to Rs800,000 for using illegal channels for document attestation.
The report claimed that Rs12 billion was illegally collected within a period of one year, amounting to Rs1 billion being taken from citizens every month.
According to the findings, a courier company had a special relationship with an official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Ministry officials said the report also contains the names and statements of officers and personnel allegedly linked to the network and accused of playing a role in collecting money from citizens.
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The investigation report stated that an official working in the Foreign Secretary’s office was also allegedly part of the network.
The names of several Directors General of different wings of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a former additional secretary and a former diplomat have also been included in the investigation report.
It has also emerged that the report, which was sent to the Foreign Secretary’s office in July, was not forwarded to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) or any other investigative agency.
The report further revealed that despite the investigation committee submitting its findings and recommendations, several of the officials allegedly involved were subsequently posted abroad.
