ISLAMABAD – Director General (CMU/Audit) Ahmed Ali Sirohey faces music days after explosive media reports surfaced over an alleged irregularities network in the ministry’s document-attestation system.
An official notification issued on September 16, 2026, confirmed Sirohey’s transfer and posting as OSD “with immediate effect and until further orders.” But the notification contains no explanation for the move. It does not mention an inquiry, disciplinary action or the allegations surrounding the attestation process.
The timing of the transfer, however, has drawn scrutiny because Sirohey was reportedly heading a four-member committee that examined allegations concerning the processing of documents at the Foreign Office.
Attestation Scandal
The controversy intensified after journalist Azaz Syed reported details attributed to an internal inquiry report. According to the reported findings, a network described by the committee as a “mafia” was allegedly operating around the document-attestation process, with citizens purportedly being charged large sums through unofficial channels to have their documents processed.
Media reports put the alleged collections at approximately Rs12 billion in a single year. 4-member committee had identified an alleged network involving individuals linked to the unauthorized collection of money from applicants seeking document attestation.
The purported findings were reportedly submitted to the Foreign Secretary’s Office in July. The allegations, however, have not been independently verified.
Foreign Office denies Record
Foreign Office has now publicly challenged the reports. At its September 17 weekly briefing, spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said the ministry had “no information or record” concerning the alleged inquiry being referred to by journalists.
He described the reported allegations as “unverified and baseless”, while saying the ministry remained committed to transparency and accountability.
The statement represents a direct rejection of reports that an internal Foreign Office investigation had uncovered billions of rupees allegedly collected outside official channels.
17,000-18,000 Documents Processed Daily
The controversy comes as the Foreign Office handles an enormous volume of document-attestation requests. According to the ministry, between 17,000 and 18,000 documents are processed every day through its headquarters and four camp offices.
Foreign Office says it generated approximately Rs3.4 billion over the past two years through the attestation system. The ministry has also maintained that documentation and payments are processed electronically rather than through cash transactions.
The attestation system covers documents required by Pakistanis for use abroad, including educational certificates, birth and marriage certificates, powers of attorney and commercial documents.
The ministry’s defence of the system came amid complaints from journalists about technical problems affecting online and apostille attestation. Questions were also raised over allegations that agents operating outside the ministry were charging applicants additional amounts to expedite document processing.
The spokesperson acknowledged that applicants could still face difficulties because of the sheer volume of requests but said the ministry was taking steps to improve the system.
Those measures include QR codes, courier services and digital verification of powers of attorney. The Foreign Office has also integrated its database with the Higher Education Commission and the Inter Boards Coordination Commission. Evening shifts have reportedly been introduced to deal with the heavy workload.
Against this backdrop, Sirohey’s sudden transfer has become a focal point of attention. As DG (CMU/Audit), he was reportedly associated with the committee examining the allegations now at the centre of the controversy. His subsequent posting as OSD has therefore prompted questions about whether the two developments are connected.
Foreign Office faces scrutiny over Rs12 Billion ‘illegal Attestation’ Scandal
