Pakistan spends counter terror funds on lavish gifts to dignitaries

Pakistan has reportedly misused its counter-terrorism fund to buy lavish gifts for relatives of ministers and visiting dignitaries, exposing high levels of corruption in the country.

In 2000, the National Crisis Management Cell (NCMC) of Pakistan's interior ministry was formed to bring together the country's intelligence agencies and federal and provincial governments on matters concerning national security.

While Pakistan received billions of dollars by the U.S and other western countries to help in its fight against Taliban and al Qaeda, a lot of money has been spent on expensive watches, gold, sacrificial goats and other gift items presented to U.S and British embassy officials and also on flowers and sweets for journalists, Dawn reported.

According to files procured from a Pakistani journalist, during 2009-2013, the NCMC had received around 4.3 million dollars from Pakistan government treasury.

Meanwhile, following claims, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has ordered an audit of the interior ministry accounts from 2010-2013.