Pakistan’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has uncovered millions of rupees in alleged financial irregularities at Pakistani diplomatic missions in Austria and Bulgaria, raising concerns about financial oversight and accountability at overseas embassies.
During a review of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ audit objections for 2023-24, audit officials informed the committee that an accountant at Pakistan’s Embassy in Austria had allegedly embezzled Rs. 165.6 million by transferring funds into personal bank accounts belonging to himself and his wife. Two FIRs were registered, and the accused was arrested but later released on bail. PAC Chairman Syed Naveed Qamar expressed concern over the lack of progress in the investigation and summoned the FIA director general to explain the case.
The committee was also informed about alleged embezzlement of Rs. 29 million at Pakistan’s Embassy in Bulgaria. An inquiry launched in September 2026 has been delayed because officials could not travel abroad under government austerity restrictions. PAC recommended allowing necessary official travel to investigate financial irregularities and directed the Foreign Secretary to submit a fresh investigation report on the Austria case within one month.
Additionally, PAC examined unspent Higher Education Commission (HEC) funds, including more than Rs. 1.22 billion held at Pakistan’s Embassy in the United States without distribution to students. The committee directed the HEC to recover over 360,000 euros withdrawn from education funds by the Embassy in Berlin within three months. It also reviewed questionable community welfare spending in Abu Dhabi and other financial irregularities involving diplomatic missions in Dhaka and Vienna.
