Overview
- The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister has formed a three-member inquiry led by Petroleum Secretary Hamed Yaqoob Sheikh with Law Secretary Raja Naeem Akbar and Special Secretary Finance Qumar Sarwar Abbasi as members.
- The committee's terms of reference direct it to identify any abuse or irregularities in the apostille and attestation process, examine the role of courier services, and determine whether Foreign Office officers were involved.
- The inquiry was constituted after media reports raised concerns about the attestation system and the notification ordered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to give the committee full access to records and materials.
- The panel must submit findings and recommendations within two weeks, a short deadline that signals an expedited administrative review but does not itself imply disciplinary or legal action.
- Apostille and attestation validate documents for use abroad, and the review could reshape how the Foreign Office and notified courier firms handle citizen applications if the committee recommends systemic changes.