Millions Vanish From Pakistan Embassies Abroad

Pakistan's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has uncovered millions of rupees in alleged financial irregularities at Pakistani embassies in Austria and Bulgaria.

Key points

• The committee, chaired by Syed Naveed Qamar, reviewed audit objections involving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the financial year 2023-24 at Parliament House on Wednesday.
• The Director General Finance informed the committee that two accounts existed, holding approximately $98, 000 and $1 million.
• An inquiry committee was formed on September 10, 2026, but had not travelled to Bulgaria since of administration restrictions on foreign travel under austerity measures.
• Audit authorities informed the committee that Pakistan's Embassy in Berlin had withdrawn more than 360, 000 euros from funds allocated for education and had not replenished the amount.
• The Foreign Secretary remarked the school charged low fees, followed the Pakistani curriculum and had a student population comprising 98 percent Pakistani children.

In practice, the committee, chaired by Syed Naveed Qamar, reviewed audit objections involving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the financial year 2023-24 at Parliament House on Wednesday. New Rupee Designs Finally Approved.

During the session, audit office-holders informed the committee that an accountant at Pakistan's Embassy in Austria had allegedly embezzled Rs. 165.6 million by transferring the funds into personal bank accounts belonging to himself and his wife.

In practice, the accused was referred to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and two FIRs were registered.

PAC Chairman Naveed Qamar criticized the lack of progress despite six years having passed since the case emerged. He questioned the FIA's performance and remarked the investigation appeared to have produced little progress beyond registering cases.

FIA authorities informed the committee that the accused had been arrested but afterwards issued on bail. The committee summoned the FIA director general to its next session to explain the investigation's progress.

For context, the Foreign Secretary remarked the employee had been dismissed and that the Foreign Office had initiated legal proceedings before the audit authorities identified the irregularities. She put the amount involved at around 170, 000 euros.

PAC directed the Foreign Secretary to conduct a fresh investigation and submit a report within one month. Rs. 29 Million Irregularities in Bulgaria.

For context, the committee was additionally informed concerning alleged embezzlement of Rs. 29 million at Pakistan's Embassy in Bulgaria.

In practice, an inquiry committee was formed on September 10, 2026, but had not travelled to Bulgaria since of administration restrictions on foreign travel under austerity measures.

PAC expressed concern over the delay and recommended allowing authorities to travel abroad when necessary to investigate financial irregularities.

For context, the Foreign Secretary informed the committee that the employee had initially admitted to the allegations but afterwards challenged his dismissal in court. He was reinstated after a court order.

Auditor General authorities additionally highlighted a shortage of qualified accounting staff at Pakistani diplomatic missions. They remarked assistants were sometimes assigned accounting responsibilities despite lacking the required experience.

PAC directed the Foreign Office to ensure that experienced accountants are appointed at overseas missions and that the documented irregularities are properly investigated. Rs. 17.2 Million Community Welfare Fund Spending Questioned.

Notably, the committee additionally questioned the apply of more than Rs. 17.2 million from the Community Welfare Fund by the Pakistan Community Welfare School in Abu Dhabi.

Naveed Qamar asked how spending community funds on the school benefited the wider Pakistani community and whether the expenditure had received proper approval.

Notably, the Foreign Secretary remarked the school charged low fees, followed the Pakistani curriculum and had a student population comprising 98 percent Pakistani children. She continued that fee collections were insufficient to cover operating costs, requiring financial assistance.

She maintained that the expenditure had been approved through the required process. Rs. 1.22 Billion in HEC Funds Held in US Embassy. PAC additionally examined funds allocated for Pakistani students studying abroad.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Secretary remarked the embassy faced financial difficulties and that heads of missions sometimes borrowed funds to meet essential expenses.

While Auditor General authorities stated the funds belonged to the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and should be returned if it had not been spent for its intended purpose, naveed Qamar objected to the practice.

In practice, the committee directed the HEC to recover the amount within three months.

In another case, audit authorities disclosed that Pakistan's Embassy in the United States was holding more than Rs. 1.22 billion in HEC funds that had not been distributed to students.

In practice, the Foreign Secretary remarked the HEC was responsible for identifying eligible students and that the embassy had not received instructions from the commission to release the funds.

PAC referred the matter to the Departmental Accounts Committee for further examination. More Financial Irregularities at Overseas Missions.

Meanwhile, the committee additionally examined a number of other audit objections involving Pakistani diplomatic missions.

Audit authorities stated Pakistan's mission in Dhaka had maintained a bank account since 1986 without providing the required approval documents from the Ministry of Finance or relevant bank statements. Almost Half PIA Fleet Still Grounded.

In practice, the Director General Finance informed the committee that two accounts existed, holding approximately $98, 000 and $1 million. PAC referred the matter back to the Departmental Accounts Committee.

In another case, rental income generated by Pakistan's mission in Vienna had been deposited into an unauthorised account. The committee directed the Ministry of Finance to regularise the account.

Audit authorities additionally documented that funds allocated for construction work in Australia had not been surrendered.

Meanwhile, the PAC settled a number of audit objections during the gathering and directed the relevant departments to address the remaining problems and improve financial oversight at Pakistani missions abroad. Stay Connected with ProPakistani.

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Taken together, the developments around millions Vanish From Pakistan Embassies Abroad point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.