ISLAMABAD: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Tuesday took notice of Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif’s statement about Pakistani bureaucrats purchasing properties in Portugal and directed the Establishment Division and the Ministry of Interior to immediately submit a list of all such officials.The committee summoned officials from the Ministry of Interior, State Bank, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and other relevant institutions for a briefing in the next meeting.
The committee, chaired by Junaid Akbar Khan, examined the audit objections of the Ministry of Religious Affairs for the fiscal years 2022-23 and 2023-24. Junaid directed that the details of plots acquired by the bureaucrats be obtained.At the outset, Junaid said the committee intended to place on the agenda of its August 19 meeting the issues of tax exemptions in the former Fata and Pata regions. Expressing concern over the possible closure of utility stores, the committee decided to seek a briefing on the issue in its upcoming meeting.
The committee decided to summon the relevant departments in the next meeting. The committee also decided to hear the grievances of the protesting Utility Stores employees.Examining the audit para related to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, audit officials informed the committee that a former assistant accounts officer Muhammad Kaleem in Jeddah had embezzled Rs12 million. Objections were also related to the same officer, who in 2019 deducted meal charges from the assistants but did not pay the contractor, and misappropriated funds from the Haj Welfare Fund.
Three more audit paras pointed a finger at Muhammad Kaleem for allegedly embezzling Rs44.25 million in total, while the same person was also involved in misappropriation of Rs21.141 million worth of food charges deducted from Moavineen, and embezzlement of Rs3.456 million from the Pilgrim Welfare Fund. The total embezzlement amounted to Rs44.715 million.Officials informed the committee that the accused had obtained a Canadian visa beforehand and was currently in Canada.
Secretary religious affairs said the ministry had dismissed the official from service, written to the FIA for registration of an FIR, and asked if the Interpol had been approached.
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