Document apostille, attestation system: Body formed to probe alleged irregularities in MoFA

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister (DPM/FM) Senator Ishaq Dar has constituted an inquiry committee to investigate alleged abuses and irregularities in the document apostille and attestation system of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).

According to a notification issued by the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office on Friday, the committee has been constituted following some media reports regarding the apostille and attestation system and has been tasked with examining the Foreign Office’s document attestation mechanism.

The three-member inquiry committee will be supervised by Secretary Petroleum Hamed Yaqoob Sheikh as convener, while Secretary Law Raja Naeem Akbar and Special Secretary Finance Qumar Sarwar Abbasi will serve as members, the notification said.

The committee’s terms of reference (TORs) include identifying any abuse or irregularities in the apostille and attestation system, examining the role of courier services, and determining whether any Foreign Office officers were involved in irregularities.

The committee will also suggest systemic improvements to the existing apostille and attestation mechanism.

The notification directed the committee to submit its recommendations and findings within two weeks. The Additional Secretary (Administration), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has been directed to provide the committee with full support, including access to all relevant material.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026