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About 18 Foreign Service officers involved in funds misappropriation

T A MALIK

ISLAMABAD: Ministry of Foreign Affairs has informed the Chief Executive Secretariat about the 18 foreign service officials involved in misappropriation of funds and corrupt practices, sources said here on Monday.

The ministry has also given the details of their corruption and report of the inquiry proceedings against them.

Sources said that Rasheed Ahmad, ambassador of Pakistan, Almaty (BS-20), was involved in embezzlement of government funds during his tenure in Athens (1996-1999), has been instructed to refund Rs 815,210 into the government treasury by January 2000. Foreign Secretary will decide the imposition of penalty. However, he has been recalled to the headquarters immediately.

Malik Yousaf Ali (BS-20) committed financial irregularities during his tenure as HOC, Pahic London but he obtained stay order from the Lahore High Court and the inquiry proceedings were stopped.

Rashed Saleem Khan, Director General (BS-20), had drawn advance from bank Al-jazira, imprest and the club funds of the mission, when he was Consul General Jeddah. In view of the undertaking to refund it during his next posting, the ministry had recommended to treat his cases as settled.

Umer Khan Alisharzai, former Consul General Jeddah (BS-20), was involved in corruption and malpractices during his tenure at Jeddah. An inquiry has been conducted on the directives of Chief Executive Secretariat. The Inquiry Officer has been authorised to visit Jeddah to finalise his report. Currently Umer Khan is under suspension.

Abdul Hamid Afridi, Director (BS-19), sold a government vehicle during his tenure as the Deputy Chief of Protocol, camp office, Peshawar, in 1995 but did not deposit the sale proceeds into the treasury. Later, the amount was deposited into the state Bank but inquiry has been constituted against him.

Syed Zulfiqar Shah, consul, Consulate General, Hong Kong (BS-19), signed an interminable lease deed for 15 years at a higher rental value and shifting the consulate building in Bradford to an area which is not suitable for a diplomatic mission during his tenure in the mission.

Ali Mardan Rahoojo, Section Officer (BS-18) embezzled public funds during his tenure as HOC, embassy of Pakistan, Athens. Later he deposited Rs 582,232 into the government treasury. Report has been submitted to the authority for imposition of penalty.

Dr.Sarfraz Ahmed Sipra, Third Secretary (BS-17) Parep Brussels, willfully made a wrong declaration about the adoption of a girl claiming her TA/DA and other diplomatic facilities in Brussels.

Mohammad Afroz Alam Qazi, Deputy Director (Cypher), was involved in misapporiation of consular fees by Mrs Tasnim Zubair, Pak based assistant, during his tenure in the Mission. Ambassador in Paris filed complaint against him, an internal audit of the consular fee of Prep Paris, was carried out by the CAO's audit team. The audit team held him responsible for signing passports without ensuring that the consular fee was deposited into the government account. A show cause notice was issued to him but he pleaded for impartial inquiry.

Pervaiz Afzal Khan, Section Officer, has tendered his resignation from the service. He is required to refund $60,650.37 incurred by the government on his training abroad. He has refunded $10,882.22 and has undertaken to refund the remaining balance on yearly installment basis.

Salmanuddin Khattak, Third Secretary, High Commission for Pakistan, Male, was involved in misappropriation of funds. The auditor's report confirmed his involvement. He deserted the Mission and stowed away to USA. Since the officer was on deputation the Establishment Division has been asked to take action against him.

Abdul Rehman, Superintendent and Khushnawaz Alam during his posting in Abu Dhabi had sublet the government accommodation to Indian national during their postings there.

Ambassador in Paris filed complaint regarding misappropriation of consular fees by Mrs. Tasnim Zubair, former Consular Assistant during her tenure in the mission. The audit report held her solely responsible for the miscredits. Air and defence Attache of Prep Paris has been appointed inquiry officers against her.

Mustafa Hussain, Stenotypist and Malik Anwaruz Zaman, LDC, are involved issuance of official passports to unauthorised persons. FIA is also conducting inquiry against them.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent a report to the Chief Executive Secretariat following the decision of the Cabinet and informed that further investigations are being carried out and list of more corrupt officers would be submitted soon for action.

A committee has also been constituted under Lt General Hamid Javaid, Chairman Heavy Industries, Taxila, to review the overall structure of the ministry and its Mission abroad with a view of enhancing its efficiency.

The recommendations of the committee would inter alia, include procedure on weeding out of "Dead Wood" and inefficient officials. The report is likely to be submitted to the Chief Executive General Pervez Musharraf next week.