ISLAMABAD: Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry embarrassed the entire diplomatic service as he misused the funds meant to promote Pakistan’s standpoint on various issues around the world. The foreign secretary allowed his office to spend Rs 11 million funds on the renovation and decoration of his official residence. That financial malpractice not only unearthed misuse of authority, but also reportedly compromised the sensitive issue of Kashmir, which has been pending between Pakistan and India for more than 65 years. Not only the foreign secretary spent the huge amount to beautify his official residence, he used his influence to destroy the record, making it almost impossible for the auditors to verify under which head those funds were spent. However, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) identified the anomaly and found out the real scam. A PAC report obtained by Daily Times revealed that Rs 11 million were spent extravagantly for renovation and decoration of the foreign secretary’s palatial residence in Islamabad. The expenses were incurred out of budget and accounts of the Foreign Ministry. These massive expenses were illegal, as the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the Ministry of Housing and Works are responsible for decoration and renovation of official residences and state buildings. Every year, billions of rupees are provided to them from the national exchequer for this purpose. The foreign secretary spent over Rs 10 million, which he was not authorised to spend. The report revealed that PEPRA rules were breached flagrantly to make such huge expenses. It may be mentioned that renovation of large official residences costs merely Rs 0.5 million. However, it was not comprehendible exactly how the top diplomat allowed more than Rs 10 million to be spent on the renovation of his residence. The PAC has summoned the foreign secretary to explain his position in the next meeting. There is another stunning revelation that the Foreign Office bore the expenses incurred on the visit of members of the Pakistan Foreign Office Women’s Association (PFOWA) to China. The PFOWA has status of an NGO and is run by the wives of the Pakistani diplomats. The wife of Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry is president of the NGO. According to details, dozens of members of the NGO had to attend an unofficial programme in China. Again, the foreign secretary authorised purchasing air tickets for the PFOWA members from official funds. The audit report said that the Foreign Office had refused to get audit of the purchase of the air tickets and destroyed the record of the tickets. When contacted, Foreign Office spokesperson Muhammad Zakaria termed the report a fabricated one. He refused to respond when documents were sent to him. The PAC has decided to launch an in-depth inquiry into this scam.