Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: A new corruption scandal of Rs 2.32 billion in Foreign Office has surfaced in which ambassadors posted abroad not only purchased furniture from the education and welfare fund but also got heavy loans from American banks for renovation of Pakistan’s embassy in Washington, according to documents submitted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the public accounts committee.

The documents revealed that Pakistan’s embassy in Washington procured furniture of Rs 80 million from the funds reserved for the education and welfare of the embassy’s staff. The embassy also took loan worth Rs 95 million from a foreign bank without getting prior approval from the Finance Ministry for renovation and decoration of the premises, which is still to be repaid.

The officers of the Foreign Office did not deduct income tax from the bill of the construction company, which resulted in a loss of Rs 2.41 million to the national exchequer.

In another instance, officials of Pakistani Mission in New York drew Rs 6.74 million from national kitty in the name of furniture allowance, despite the fact that the rules and regulations do not provide for any such allowance. The officials also spent Rs 203 million on purchase of some unnecessary items despite a ban imposed by the Finance Ministry.

The officials deputed at the embassies in New Delhi, Glasgow and Male refused to submit documentary proofs to the audit authorities regarding the expenses of Rs 58.77 million. The ambassadors also took Rs 75 million from the national exchequer under the head of rented vehicles and the airfare. The report says that the three ambassadors also took foreign allowance of Rs 1.9 million despite being on leave, whereas five ambassadors did not pay the utility charges of Rs 1.4 million.

The report reveals that deputy chief of protocol used Rs 2.71 million from the national kitty for repair of his private car in Lahore. The amount was issued with the approval of foreign secretary.

The ambassadors also took Rs 11 million on account of health reimbursements despite they were entitled to health insurance. The audit authorities have asked the FO to return the amount to the national exchequer.

Pakistan Foreign Office Women’s Association (PFOWA), an NGO comprising spouses of Foreign Office officers, purchased air tickets of business class against the law from the national kitty for a tour abroad, which incurred a loss of Rs 7.86 million to the national exchequer.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also purchased a double cabin vehicle in the name of foreign minister’s security, whereas the provision of vehicle for the purpose is the responsibility of Cabinet Division.

Dozens of FO officers have got transferred the precious official vehicles in their own name after paying only a token money.