Deputy PM orders inquiry into Pakistan’s Apostille and attestation system after Minute Mirror reports

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar has ordered a high-level inquiry into Pakistan’s Apostille

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar has ordered a high-level inquiry into Pakistan’s Apostille and document attestation system following reports of alleged irregularities, overcharging and concerns involving courier services and officials.

According to a notification issued by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on September 18, 2026, a three-member committee has been constituted to examine the functioning of the Foreign Office’s document attestation system. Minute Mirror has obtained a copy of the notification.

The committee will be headed by Petroleum Secretary Hamed Yaqoob Sheikh, with Law Secretary Raja Naeem Akbar and Special Secretary Finance Qamar Sarwar Abbasi serving as members. It has been directed to submit its findings and recommendations within two weeks.

The terms of reference include identifying alleged abuses and irregularities in the Apostille and attestation process, examining the role of courier companies, determining whether any Foreign Office officials were involved in wrongdoing and suggesting measures to improve the system.

The Deputy Prime Minister’s Office said the inquiry was initiated after the Deputy PM took note of media reports concerning the Apostille and attestation mechanism.

Pakistan joined the Hague Apostille Convention and introduced the Apostille system through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2023-24, with the stated objective of simplifying the authentication of documents for use abroad.

However, applicants have raised concerns about delays, high service charges and difficulties in accessing direct services. Some complainants have alleged that they were charged thousands of rupees above the official fee through agents or courier channels, while others reported prolonged delays in processing educational and employment-related documents.

Sources also told Minute Mirror that audit observations had raised questions regarding fee collection, revenue reconciliation and arrangements with courier services. These matters are expected to be examined by the newly constituted committee.

Another issue likely to come under scrutiny is the posting of officials who were allegedly mentioned in internal correspondence or audit-related observations. Sources claimed that certain officials were subsequently assigned important positions. However, there is no finding of wrongdoing against any individual at this stage, and the inquiry committee will determine whether the postings and related decisions complied with applicable rules.

A senior official familiar with the matter said the Deputy Prime Minister wants greater transparency, reduced reliance on intermediaries and further automation of the process.

A Foreign Office official said the ministry would fully cooperate with the inquiry and that digitisation of the system was already underway. The official added that departmental action would be taken according to rules if any misconduct was established.

A courier-sector representative maintained that courier companies were authorised only to facilitate document collection and delivery and that service charges were issued against receipts. The representative said the companies would cooperate with the inquiry.

The committee is expected to examine fee records, courier agreements, appointment and token data, CCTV footage and relevant official correspondence. It may also review the role of audit authorities and recommend reforms to provide applicants with more direct and transparent access.

The inquiry’s findings will determine whether the reported issues resulted from procedural weaknesses, individual misconduct or broader structural shortcomings in the attestation system. Until the committee completes its investigation, the allegations remain unproven.