Islamabad - Former ambassador to Saudi Arabia Raja Ali Ejaz suspended on the directives of prime minister over alleged poor performance with regards to overseas Pakistanis, appeared before high powered investigative committee and rejected charge sheet against him saying he and his mission performed their duties despite Covid-19 pandemic in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The committee headed by retired cabinet secretary Abu Akif asked some questions to Ali Ejaz who responded to every question with a cool mind.
Sources close to the investigation committee told The Nation that Raja Ali Ejaz appeared before the committee with complete record of his services including photographs of service delivery to Pakistani people during Covid-19 pandemic in the kingdom.
Raja Ali Ejaz was asked questions about overall working of the embassy and consular section and his oversight as ambassador to the embassy.
When inquired about the alleged mistreatment meted out to a Pakistani woman by Zeeshan deputy head of the mission at Pakistan embassy, the ambassador told the committee that he was out of the kingdom on personal leave, therefore he was not a witness to the case.
The ambassador also dismissed allegations of misuse of welfare fund and said all funds are subject to official audit by the auditor general of Pakistan. The ambassador was also asked questions on the basis of direct and secret information obtained by the investigation committee from Pakistanis living in Saudi capital Riyadh. Raja Ali Ejaz said he had made his cellphone public and used to reply to almost every message sent by Pakistanis in various cities of the kingdom. The committee, which has been directed to complete the work before Eid and submit its report to the prime minister, is working day and night.
Two other senior officers of the foreign service, one Aurangzeb and another Zeeshan would also appear before the committee and record their statements. Two welfare attaches who were also suspended by the government would also submit their statements before the committee next week. Nadra and passport offices officials posted in the mission would also appear before the committee.