• Lawmaker allege ‘billions of rupees’ in daily bribes for official signatures
• Senators push for digital app; question lack of modernisation to curb graft
• Separate Senate body demands ETPB records; expresses concern over properties leased at ‘unfairly low’ monthly rents

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs decided on Friday to raise the matter of alleged “corruption of billions of rupees” occurring daily at the foreign affairs ministry in the attestation of documents with the Foreign Office (FO).

The issue was brought up during the committee’s meeting, where Rana Mahmoodul Hassan of the PPP alleged widespread corruption in the process.

“Overseas Pakistanis are either running from post to pillar for a single signature or paying money for corruption,” Hassan remarked. He said that people had been complaining about having to spend nights on pavements to get their documents attested.

He stressed that the attestation process should either be digitised or that union councils and deputy commissioners should be authorised to attest the documents.

The attestation of items, such as educational and marriage certificates, by the ministry is often required for recognition by international and foreign entities.

Senator Anwaarul Haq Kakar also questioned why the process was not being digitised. “Is there a lack of resources?” he said, adding that there should be an app for the FO.

Mr Kakar stated that the Foreign Office should be asked why the issue was not being resolved.

“The higher-up in the Foreign Office does not want to let go of control, and the subordinate is running a shop,” he commented, without taking any names or elaborating further. “What is the job of the Foreign Office?” he added.

During the meeting, PML-N Senator Agha Shahzaib Durrani also claimed that a commander of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban (TTP) had travelled for Haj and Umrah on a Pakistani passport.

In response, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl Senator Maulana Attaur Rehman asked, “Who allowed the TTP to enter [the country]?”

“We, too, were with those who gave the permission,” Senator Kakar responded. He also mentioned that when TTP’s Mullah Mansour died, a Pakistani passport was also found in his possession.

As the Senate committee expressed its reservations over the attestation process, it formally decided to raise the matter with the FO.

Earlier in the meeting, Senator Agha Shahzaib Durrani was elected chairperson of the standing committee. The body was previously headed by PML-N’s Irfan Siddiqui, who passed away on Nov 10.

ETPB properties record sought

Separately, a Senate body on Friday directed the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) to submit a complete record of all properties under its management, along with full revenue details, before the next session.

The directive came during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Less Developed Areas, where convener Senator Danesh Kumar expressed concern that numerous ETPB properties were leased at “disproportionately low” monthly rental values.

He instructed the board to undertake a comprehensive reassessment and fair revaluation of these assets.

During a briefing, an ETPB representative informed the panel that surveys of various properties had been completed and rents were being reassessed.

Based on these surveys, rental values are expected to increase by up to 460 per cent. Officials noted that progress was gradual due to aspects of the matter being linked to ongoing judicial proceedings.

Kumar also expressed displeasure over the delayed submission of the working paper for the meeting.

He highlighted the ETPB’s role in preserving heritage, stating that the “restoration and maintenance of temples, gurdwaras, and other heritage sites play a vital role in projecting Pakistan’s positive soft image globally.”

He noted that an ancient Mandir in Zhob, Balochistan, had recently been restored and returned to the Hindu community, with a local Imam attending the inauguration in a gesture of interfaith harmony.

With input from APP

Published in Dawn, December 13th, 2025