Online document attestation goes live at FO amid FIA probe into fake apostille network

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has introduced a fully digital system for document attestation, allowing citizens to apply online and receive electronic certificates by email, even as an inquiry into alleged irregularities in the service continues.

The Digital Attestation System became operational on October 12, and the ministry announced it through its official channels on Saturday. The system will run through the Foreign Office in Islamabad and liaison offices in Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta and Gujrat. Applicants will submit documents online, after which they will be scrutinised and verified, and applicants will be notified once the process is complete. Fees can be paid online, with the electronic certificate emailed after payment. The portal is available at portal-attestation.mofa.gov.pk.

Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said at a press briefing on Friday that the ministry was progressively digitising attestation and apostille services to make them more efficient, transparent and accessible, with the shift to electronic apostille also under way. Eligible applicants could be exempted from appearing in person, subject to safeguards, a measure expected to help overseas Pakistanis in particular. He said a memorandum of understanding between the ministry and the Higher Education Commission would improve integration among stakeholders and replace manual procedures with automated systems. He added that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had personally steered the initiative.

The launch comes amid allegations of widespread irregularities in the service. Asked at the briefing about the findings of an inquiry committee set up by the deputy prime minister, and about reports that two officials had been taken into custody, Khan said the panel was made up of members from outside the ministry and was continuing its work. “The inquiry committee is not from the ministry; they are from outside the ministry and they are continuing their work,” he said, adding that it would announce its outcome once the inquiry was complete. He gave no details of its recommendations.

In September, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested two ministry officials, identified in media reports as Assistant Director Qaiser Riaz and Apostille In-charge Samiullah, in a case involving fake apostille stickers, official seals and documents. The agency alleged that private individuals and businesses collected large sums from applicants in return for expedited attestation, and that fake verification material was circulated through consultancy and courier businesses. Dawn reported on September 21 that a case had been registered against 22 suspects, including six ministry officials and 16 private individuals. A court later remanded 11 suspects in FIA custody, and authorities reported recovering suspected fake stickers, documents and receipts. The allegations remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings.

Media reports have separately alleged that as much as Rs12 billion was collected through unofficial channels over a year. The Foreign Office dismissed claims about an internal inquiry as unverified and baseless at a September 17 briefing, saying it had no record of such an inquiry. The ministry has also pointed to earlier reforms, including the introduction of the apostille system in 2024, online applications and electronic payments.