WASHINGTON DC: In compliance with the directions of the federal government, the Embassy of Pakistan in Washington DC on Friday completed the process of disposing of an old Embassy building located at R-Street in Washington DC during a Ceremony held at Lincoln Library, Waldorf Astoria Hotel Washington.
The Ceremony was attended among others by the Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, Representative Gregory Meeks and former Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson.
The property has been purchased by a Pakistani-American Abdul Hafeez Khan who had offered the highest bid of US$ 7.1 million and it was approved by the Federal Cabinet.
Clarification: Responding to certain media queries, it is clarified that the old embassy building that has been disposed of is located at R-Street.
📸1:Old Embassy Building located at R-Street,Washington DC
📸 2: Current Chancery, located at 3517 International Ct Washington DC pic.twitter.com/lb9B64XSpz— Pakistan Embassy US (@PakinUSA) July 14, 2023
Speaking on the occasion, the former Congresswoman Eddie Bernice congratulated Hafeez Khan for buying a historic building with decades long association with Pakistan.
Eddie Bernice highlighted the successes of Mr. Hafeez Khan and wished him well in his future endeavors.
In his remarks, Hafeez Khan thanked the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the Federal Cabinet for accepting his offer. He said that it was a matter of pride for him, being Pakistani American citizen, to own a building that has served Pakistani community for decades.
The federal government in its meeting on November 30, 2022 decided to dispose of the old building keeping in view of the fact that the building was not being used by the government of Pakistan for past two decades and the US authorities had withdrawn its diplomatic status resulting in exorbitant amount of taxes over the property.
In view of monetary costs of undertaking maintenance and the recurring liability being accrued on the taxpayers of Pakistan, it had been decided to dispose of the property.
Speaking on the occasion, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US Masood Khan expressed satisfaction that the property had been sold and transferred in pursuance of the Cabinet’s decision.
Ambassador Masood Khan also clarified that no other property was being sold.
