Sale of embassy building: NAB files corruption reference against ex-envoy to Indonesia

ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Wednesday filed a corruption reference against former ambassador to Indonesia Major General Syed Mustafa Anwar Hussain (retd) over the alleged sale of building of the Pakistan embassy in Jakarta at a throwaway price, which incurred losses of US $1.32 million to the national exchequers.

The bureau has filed corruption reference against the former ambassador at the Accountability Court.

According to the NAB, complaint was received from Dr Qaiser Rashid, wherein, it was alleged that offence of corruption/corrupt practices and misuse of authority has occurred at foreign missions of Pakistan in Indonesia and Japan with regard to sale of Pakistan embassy/building Chancery at throwaway prices, violating the laid down procedure.

As the NAB investigation revealed that the accused Syed Mustafa Anwar Hussain soon after his posting as Ambassador of Pakistan to Indonesia has started work on disposing of government-owned properties in Jakarta.

The ambassador without approval of the ministry/government, appointed M/s Palma Citra Permai to work as agent/broker through agreement dated July 2, 2001 without any advertisement for sale of Chancery building, the reference said.

The probe further established that the accused with mala fide intentions through his office letter dated on August 20, 2001 submitted proposal regarding sale of properties into two phases.

He through his own sources communicated estimated sale price to the ministry without calling quotations through advertisement in violation of rules and procedures.

It is further established that the accused repeatedly exerted pressure on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to grant him permission for sale of the properties.

The investigation further revealed that the accused without having authority entered into an agreement for sale of Chancery building through sale purchase building agreement for an amount of 12.5 billion Indonesian (Ind) rupees.

The accused kept the fact hidden from the ministry that he had already entered into an agreement for sale of the Chancery building.

The investigation further revealed that the accused finally in order to save his skin, through his letter dated April 10, 2002 approached the office of the Chief Executive of Pakistan bypassing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to get approval regarding sale of the Chancery building and the ambassador residence.

It revealed that the evaluation of Chancery building was carried out by Embassy of Pakistan through M/s Ray White.

The M/s Ray white through its letter dated July 18, 2016 provided the market value of the Chancery building in the year 2002-2003.

The report established that the accused by selling the property has caused loss of US $1.32 million (equivalent to Rs13.45 billion Ind rupees) to the national exchequer.

Thus, the accused committed the offence of corruption and corrupt practices as defined under Section 9 (a) (vi) punishable under Section 10 of the NAO, 1999.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020