ISLAMABAD—Financial irregularities of more than Rs520 million have been exposed in period of one year in Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Pakistani missions abroad.
It has been reported in the audit report of 2007-2008 that Ministry of Foreign Affairs had spent amount Rs52.2 million without permission of Finance Minister which is total violation of code of conduct.
After the identification of such expenditure, ministry of foreign affairs assured Finance Ministry for provision of record; however, it has not submitted its record yet.
In the audit reports of 2006-2007, it has been pointed out that former prime minister of Pakistan, Shaukat Aziz has spent amount of Rs25 million in the head of gifts, tips to employees of PIA and Pakistan Embassies amid his foreign visit.
Different items and commodities worth Rs100 million bought in the year from 2004-2007 but unfortunately these commodities and items were not registered in the store record of the ministry.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs had released amount of Rs67.8 million for the miscellaneous tasks such as construction of pillars at Pakistan-India border, Trading Cooperation of Pakistan for the export of rice to Nigeria, Presidency, ISI, DCO Rawalpindi and National Council Arts but there is no such record of all these expenditure.
Amount of Rs25 million had been released to the Punjab and Sindh Rangers for the construction of pillars at Pakistan-India border, Rs3.2 million to Trading Cooperation of Pakistan for the export of rice to Nigeria, while Rs12.2 million for other miscellaneous talks such Presidency, ISI, DCO Rawalpindi and National Council Arts.
According to the rules and regulation, all these expenditures will be made by Pakistani Heads of Missions in consultation of Chief of Protocol. The record of all these expenditure is than sent to Foreign Affairs ministry undersigned by Pakistani Heads of Mission and Chief of Protocols.
Now, the audit officials proposed that the amount of Rs25 million about which there is no record must be obtained from the concern officials.
Similarly, 185 employees of Foreign Ministry Header Quarter and Camp Office Peshawar have been released amount of Rs29.4 million in the head of TA, DA, House Building Advance, House Rent and Telephone Charges in advance in the year 2006-2008. However, the released amount is yet to adjusted.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs purchased different items and daily commodities worth of Rs93.4 million from the year 2004-2007 but there exist record of only Rs26.1 million.
Audit officials have proposed for the action against the concern authorities of ministry of foreign affairs.
—Agencies
|
