The Foreign Ministry has had to again debunk the claims of a Pakistani holding a Maltese passport who insists he is a government envoy despite repeated warnings that his claims are false.
This newspaper revealed last week that Ahmad Aziz had been posing as a government envoy to Pakistan for a number of years, despite the Foreign Ministry denying he was given that role.
Mr Aziz has since bombarded this newspaper with documents and statements claiming to prove he was in fact an envoy working to attract business to the country, including the opening of an Iranian bank. Yesterday, he told this newspaper he strongly contested the Foreign Ministry’s rejection of the role he claims to hold. “I strongly reject the statement of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malta… I am Malta’s Representative to Pakistan,” Mr Aziz insisted.
He also accused this newspaper of a botched investigation.
Frustrated, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said it has now involved the Attorney General to look into the case, since Mr Aziz has continued to promote himself in this role despite repeated warnings.
Mr Aziz is currently on a visit to Pakistan but Foreign Minister George Vella expects action upon his return. “I hope that the next time he’s in Malta, the police will call him in for questioning,” Dr Vella said.
He told The Sunday Times of Malta that Mr Aziz was in fact appointed as a trade envoy in the past but this assignment was revoked by the previous administration – a move sustained following the change in government.
“He returned his diplomatic card, together with a letter of apology [for its misuse]. His diplomatic card is still in our files,” Dr Vella added.
I hope the next time he’s in Malta, the police will call him in for questioning
Despite the Foreign Ministry’s repeated warnings, the man continues to gain access to current MPs and ministers. He has built a profile on social media to fit that image. Dozens of his photos show him in meetings or chatting with MPs, Labour and Nationalist, past and present, as well as union heads and foreign diplomats.
Most of the people photographed with him are clearly posing for the shot at his request.
Other photos show high-profile events and political meetings he clearly would not have been permitted to attend.
Mr Aziz has stated he retained the right to sue this newspaper and relevant authorities.
His claims were exposed by this newspaper as part of a probe into another Pakistani – Danyal Tarar – suspected of siphoning off funds from Pakistani nationals living in Malta.
The investigation was set off by means of a letter sent to the Police Commissioner, the Sliema police station and The Sunday Times of Malta in which it was alleged that he had charged other Pakistanis living in Malta €1,500 to €2,000 each to bring their relatives into the country.
Further investigations by this newspaper into the matter re-vealed that Mr Tarar lived at the same address as Mr Aziz.
Despite this newspaper not having revealed his identity last week, Mr Tarar wrote to The Sunday Times of Malta yesterday to defend Mr Aziz’s claims.
He also claimed he was Maltese, not Pakistani.
Mr Tarar also denied he was involved in any scam – by sending in a transcript of his police interrogation, even though this should not be in the public domain.
caroline.muscat@timesofmalta.com