Pakistan’ former ambassador to Indonesia, Major General (retd) Syed Mustafa Anwar has been found guilty by National Accountability Bureau (NAB) of illegally selling the embassy building in Jakarta.
Taking the case forward, NAB has filed a reference in court against Major General (retd) Syed Mustafa Anwar, in which it has stated that Anwar sold the Pakistani embassy building in Jakarta at a throwaway price during 2001-2002.
The country’s top graft body went on to add that the illegal sale of the embassy building resulted in a loss of USD 1.32 million to the exchequer.
According to media reports, NAB’s findings revealed that former ambassador Anwar was determined to sell the embassy building almost immediately after his appointment in Jakarta. For this purpose, he authorised an advertisement for the sale of the embassy building without the prior approval of the Pakistan Foreign Ministry.
It was only after the commencement of the process of sale did Anwar sent a proposal to the Foreign Ministry regarding the sale. In turn, the Foreign Ministry outlawed the sale of the embassy building in Jakarta and communicated the same to Anwar in multiple letters.
The NAB has found Major General (retd) Syed Mustafa Anwar guilty under Section 9 (A) 6 of Pakistan’s National Accountability Ordinance for misuse of powers.
Reports in Pakistan’s media outlets have also pointed out that the country’s Supreme Court itself held the NAB office responsible for delay in filing references in corruption cases. The Chief Justice had also commented that the NAB officials were not competent enough to conduct proper inquiries.