In 2002, Mushtaq Rizvi, then Pakistan’s deputy ambassador to Indonesia reported to the Foreign Office of an allegedly illegal plan to sell off the Pakistani Embassy building in Jakarta. He was rewarded by being made an officer on special duty (OSD) – civil service speak for being suspended.
Nine years later, a subcommittee of the parliamentary public accounts committee has taken up the case of the unfairly punished diplomat, even though he is no longer alive to see his claims vindicated.
On Wednesday, a five-member inquiry committee of the Foreign Office testified before the PAC subcommittee that the then-Ambassador Mustafa Anwer, a retired general and a close personal friend of then-President Pervez Musharraf, sold the building that housed the Pakistani embassy to Indonesia.
According to the auditor’s testimony, the ambassador sold the property in his personal capacity and did not inform the Foreign Office of his plans, let alone seeking Islamabad’s approval. The sale was arranged between Anwar and a private party in Indonesia without any public advertising. The auditors also said they found evidence of embezzlement in the case.
Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, a Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz MNA from Lahore and chairman of the subcommittee, directed the auditors to submit a detailed report within six weeks and name the officials responsible for covering up the incident and punishing Rizvi.
“This case should be made an example for those who exploit honest officers,” said Sadiq.
According to Sadiq, the investigation so far has proved that the former ambassador misappropriated Rs14 million in addition to violating several laws in selling the building.
Anwar has been summoned before the Foreign Office’s inquiry committee to tell his side of the story, should he so desire.
Rizvi’s widow attended the subcommittee hearing. In her testimony, she alleged that Javed Masood, then Cabinet Secretary (one of the three highest positions in the civil service) had been responsible for the unfair treatment of her late husband, claiming that he did so to get an extension on his contract. According to Rizvi’s widow, an inquiry committee that was constituted by then President Musharraf to investigate the unlawful sale of the Jakarta embassy building submitted a report that blamed her late husband and let Anwar, in her eyes the real culprit, off the hook.
Rizvi was eventually found innocent of any wrongdoing, but only after his death, when it was “of no use”. His widow said that Rizvi was under tremendous stress during the initial inquiry and the ‘injustice’ meted out to him.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 11th, 2011.
COMMENTS (17)
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A couple of years ago I read an article and it stated about a diplomat (I don't remember his name though) sold Japanese Embassy for some billion yens and bought a new cheap place. After his tenure, he came back to Pakistan, Karachi and heavily invested in Steel Mill and he is still free; nice isn't it. Its not new just the continuation of what has been happening in the past.
Musharraf is a traitor to Pakistan. The Pakistan Army must charge him with treason for selling out Pakistan's sovereignty to the USA.
In Pakistan, rule of law is only for those who are not in power, who are weak. People like Aqeel will get bail who commit crime publicly.
Maj. Gen (R) Mustafa Anwar should be arrested for embezzlement. As a former instructor of Musharraf he was protected and Mr. Rizvi was scapegoated and punished for speaking out. Rizvi Sahib was known as an honest and upright officer of the Pakistan Foreign Service and it is impossible that he in his capacity as Minister/DHM in Jakarta could have authorized the sale of embassy property. People you have to be familiar with the rules of business within government to understand this key point I am making. Arrest Anwar and Musharraf (the son of an Accountant/Clerk who also served in the Foreign Office and had his own hangups with FSP officers) for destroying Rizvi's career. I hope the Foreign Office does compensate Rizvi Sahib's family for this gross injustice. May his soul rest in peace.
Unbelievable! Completely unbelievable! This is too insane. Embassy for sale! My goodness. Is there anything left solid in this country?
Mr Nawaz Sharif is desperate to find some corruption case against Musharraf, rest assured, he wont find any... He himself has taken billions of dollars out of this country but what could he found is building, sold for some reason, of 14 million rupees, yeah rupees, and making that as an issue... in Musharraf's rule that amount was spent on minute basis in cities for development.. Mr Nawaz just get on with ur looting, u have made fool of this public enough with the current govt by wasting four precious years, that has incurred losses to this nation of billions and billions... you don't have time for economy, education but you have time to discuss cases 8 years ago, not even worth a re look, wasting this public time in such matters just for the sake of getting a point for ur next election campaign and if nt point at least a case waiting in courts as that is the only way u hide ur criminality.. this is the amount that is spent on every day session of parliament, wasting this money on such non issues is criminal in itslef... during this time Musharraf had made universities, projects worth billions and you are not even worth having your name in the same sentence with Musharraf...
if they can sell nuclear plans then embassy is not even worth mentioning ...
Geo Musharraf - the fools are trying anything they can against you but they have not been able so far and they will never. Allah may give us wisdom to make right decisions when it comes to selection of our rulers.
.....the armed forces of pakistan sold off the country and its people...the embassy is just small compared to that...nothing short of shameful and disgusting!
When our Army can sell off Shamshi Airbase to a foreign airforce, selling off an embassy is nothing.. They sold our honour in the form of Raymond Davis, they sold Dr Aafia.. .. very long list. Why you guys are fussing.. Beware, they might catch you and sell you off too.
PML-N coming up with the report. Sounds highly doubtful.
I have had friends who were haunted by parlimentary committee in Pakistan and I can assure you if someone is being haunted it is not that they did anything wrong but that they didnt do anything wrong.
"According to Rizvi’s widow, an inquiry committee that was constituted by then President Musharraf to investigate the unlawful sale of the Jakarta embassy building submitted a report that blamed her late husband"
Now one inquiry puts blame on X and then another inquiry puts blame on Y. whose reporting is reliable and trustworthy?. The PAC report headed by a PML-N member, who has clear biases against Musharaf or the otherwise?
There is no problem or nothing new. The army owns Pakistan and all its assets. It was an army rule and Mush rewarded his personal friend a general with the "juicy" sale of the building that army/Pakistan owned to start with. So where is the problem? It must be some bloody civilian’s fault.
No surprises in the news, as everyone know, Pakistan itself is already sold out !