ISLAMABAD, Sep 18 (APP):Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister (DPM/FM), Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Friday took notice of media reports concerning irregularities in the apostille and document attestation system, and constituted a three-member inquiry committee to investigate the document verification process at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. According to a notification issued in this regard by the Ministry, Secretary Petroleum Hamid Yaqoub Sheikh will act as convener of the …
DPM orders probe into apostille, document attestation system at Foreign Ministry
ISLAMABAD, Sep 18 (APP):Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister (DPM/FM), Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Friday took notice of media reports concerning irregularities in the apostille and document attestation system, and constituted a three-member inquiry committee to investigate the document verification process at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to a notification issued in this regard by the Ministry, Secretary Petroleum Hamid Yaqoub Sheikh will act as convener of the committee, while Secretary Law Raja Naeem Akbar and Special Secretary Finance Qamar Sarwar Abbasi will serve as its members.
The notification stated that the committee would identify any instances of misuse or irregularities in the apostille and document attestation system, besides reviewing the role of courier services involved in the process.
The committee has also been tasked with determining the possible involvement of Foreign Ministry officials in the matter, and will propose necessary reforms to improve the system and prevent future lapses.
As per the notification, the inquiry committee is required to submit its findings and recommendations within two weeks.
The Additional Secretary (Admin) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been directed to extend full cooperation to the committee, including access to all relevant record and material required for the investigation.
The move by the Deputy Prime Minister comes amid growing public concern over the credibility of the document attestation process, which is widely used by citizens for educational, legal and immigration purposes both within the country and abroad.
