A financial scandal involving Pakistan’s Embassy in Vienna has raised serious questions about the handling of public funds after an accountant was found responsible for transferring more than €442,000 and $134,000 from embassy accounts.
According to an audit report by the Auditor General of Pakistan, the former accountant allegedly tampered with official transactions and transferred the money into accounts belonging to himself and his wife. The funds were meant for official expenses, including salaries, rent, vehicles, fuel and other embassy costs.
The accountant was dismissed from service in February 2020 and ordered to recover €442,256 and $134,292. However, the audit found that no recovery had been made by November 2023. The government later told auditors that €17,328 had been recovered.
Recent reports claim the former official later left for Canada, where he is now reportedly staying with his wife. The case has also raised questions about the embassy’s financial controls and the role of other officials who were authorised to handle its bank accounts.
