President Dr Arif Alvi on Monday blamed the Ministry of Education for criminal waste, incompetence, and irresponsibility for not using foreign aid, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

President took the decision on the application of the Central Directorate of National Savings against the decision of the Federal Ombudsman.

President Alvi said the German government provided more than Rs13.7 million in aid in 1993-1994.

President Alvi said that 30 years ago, money spent on buying paper for printing cheap textbooks was not used.

President Alvi said that the government is seeking grants and loans internationally to meet its immediate needs.

The President said that the Ministry of Education should investigate the matter, identify those responsible, and take action against them in accordance with the law.

The President said that the Ministry of Education should avoid imposing such inquiries on retirees and deceased persons and submit a compliance report to the Federal Ombudsman within 45 days.

Nobody cared about the money available in a non-profit account for six years, said President Alvi.

The president said that if it was the personal money of an official, he would not let it go even for a day and would deposit it in a profitable scheme.

Due to the non-utilization of funds, a loss of Rs 17.4m happened, adding that the original amount was Rs13.7m, said President.

The President said the loss could have been even greater if the audit had not identified the loss.

When the ministry withdrew the money in response to the audit's objection, the issues of reduction in Zakat and holding tax surfaced, said Arif Alvi.

Due to criminal negligence, Pakistanis lose profits, adding that profits could have been made with proper use of money, said President Alvi.

The President acquitted the National Savings Directorate of withholding tax and deduction of Zakat.

The President directed the Federal Ministry of Education to contact the FBR and the Zakat Department for obtaining a certificate of amnesty.

The President directed that the FBR and the Zakat Department should also consider issuing a one-time exemption certificate to the Ministry of Education as per the rules.

Reporter: Awais Kiyani