Alleged embassy embezzlement worth millions of rupees at Pakistan’s missions in Austria and Bulgaria came under fire in the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, as lawmakers reviewed audit objections against the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the 2023-24 financial year.
The meeting, chaired by Syed Naveed Qamar at Parliament House, also raised questions over more than Rs1.22 billion in education funds lying undistributed at the embassy in Washington and spending from a community welfare fund in the UAE.
Vienna Embassy Embezzlement: Rs165.6 Million
According to audit officials, an accountant at Pakistan’s Embassy in Austria allegedly used his position to divert Rs165.6 million into private bank accounts held by himself and his wife. Criminal proceedings were started and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) is investigating. Two FIRs have been registered, but the PAC chairman sharply criticised the slow progress of the case.
The committee was also told that rental income earned by the Vienna mission had been deposited into an unauthorised bank account. The PAC directed the Ministry of Finance to complete the process needed to regularise that account.
Bulgaria Embassy Embezzlement: Rs29 Million
A second case involves an alleged Rs29 million embezzlement by an accountant at Pakistan’s mission in Bulgaria. An inquiry committee was formed on September 10, 2026, but it has not travelled to Bulgaria because of government restrictions on foreign travel under austerity measures. The Foreign Secretary told the committee the employee had initially admitted the allegations but later challenged his removal in court.
Key Audit Objections at a Glance
| Mission | Audit objection | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Austria (Vienna) | Alleged diversion to private accounts | Rs165.6 million |
| Bulgaria | Alleged embezzlement by accountant | Rs29 million |
| United States | HEC education funds not distributed | Rs1.22 billion+ |
| UAE (Abu Dhabi) | Community Welfare Fund spent on a school | Rs17.2 million+ |
| Austria (Vienna) | Rental income in unauthorised account | Not disclosed |
Rs1.22bn Student Funds Lying Unused
Audit officials said Pakistan’s Embassy in the United States was holding more than Rs1.22 billion belonging to the Higher Education Commission (HEC) that had not reached students. The Foreign Secretary explained that the embassy cannot release the money without instructions from the HEC, which identifies eligible students. He also said missions sometimes face financial pressure and heads of missions occasionally use available funds for essential running costs.
Another objection concerned more than Rs17.2 million spent from the Community Welfare Fund on the Pakistan Community Welfare School in Abu Dhabi. Naveed Qamar questioned why money meant for the wider Pakistani community was used to finance one institution.
PAC Directions on Embassy Embezzlement Cases
Auditor General officials highlighted a shortage of qualified accounting staff at Pakistani missions abroad. The committee directed the Foreign Office to post properly qualified accountants at embassies, settled several audit objections and told the departments concerned to resolve the remaining issues and strengthen financial oversight.
Why It Matters
Pakistani embassies handle public money, community welfare funds and education grants meant for students and overseas Pakistanis. Weak controls at small missions, where one accountant often manages most transactions, make such cases easier to hide and harder to recover. Faster investigations and proper accounting staff are key to preventing the next embassy embezzlement case.
All the allegations remain under inquiry, and the officials involved have not been convicted by any court.
For official updates, visit the Auditor-General of Pakistan website.
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