The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Wednesday expressed serious concern over the continued posting of more than 46 passport section officials at Pakistani missions abroad despite the expiry of their prescribed tenure.

The parliament’s accountability arm directed the Interior Ministry to submit a solution to the issue within three weeks. The PAC meeting, chaired by Acting Chairperson Shahida Akhtar Ali, reviewed audit objections relating to the Ministry of Interior.

During the proceedings, the committee was informed that more than 46 officers of the Passport Section were still serving at missions in Dubai, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, the UK, Washington, Denmark and Canada despite having completed their three-year postings.

The audit objection pointed out that officers had been posted abroad for three years, but some had not yet been repatriated despite the expiry of their tenure.

Interior secretary told the committee that a new policy had been introduced, but the officers were still serving under the old policy. The explanation, however, failed to satisfy the committee. “This answer is unsatisfactory,” the committee chairperson remarked.

Director general passports asked the committee to give the department some time to provide a solution.