October 18, 2006	Wednesday	Ramazan 24, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, Oct 17: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Tuesday ordered a fresh probe into the passport theft scam and cases of embezzlement in Pakistani missions abroad to identify the foreign ministry officials involved in the crimes and bring them to justice.

The ministry was also directed to strengthen its weak and vulnerable legal wing and ensure transparent internal audit.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had recently admitted that some of its officials posted in Pakistani missions in Paris and other European cities had committed embezzlements, sought foreign citizenships and been involved in the passport theft case.

After a two-day meeting on the audit paras on “Special Audit Report on Revenue Receipts Pakistan Missions Abroad for the years 1997-2001”, the committee deferred the proceedings until the ministry comes up with full preparation to brief the members on the vital issue of national honour.

Almost all committee members were dissatisfied with the way the Ministry of Foreign Affairs handled the issue. They said they were stunned to find out that none of the officials involved in the said cases was brought to book, except that some of them were removed from service.