Pakistan's former Indonesia envoy accused of selling embassy building at throwaway price

Islamabad - The National Accountability Bureau has filed a reference in court against Syed Mustafa Anwar

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has found the country's former ambassador to Indonesia, Major General (retd) Syed Mustafa Anwar, guilty of illegally selling the embassy building in Jakarta.

The NAB on Wednesday filed a reference in court against Anwar, the country's former ambassador to Indonesia.

In its reference to the accountability court, the NAB 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 $1.32 million to the exchequer.

According to a report by The Express Tribune, 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. The foreign ministry had, in turn, outlawed the sale of the embassy building in Jakarta and communicated the same to Anwar in multiple letters.

The NAB has found Anwar guilty under Section 9 (A) 6 of Pakistan's National Accountability Ordinance for misuse of powers.

Reports in 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, in fact, went on to add that the NAB officials were not competent enough to conduct proper inquiries.

• Pakistan