Old Embassy building located at R-Street in Washington D.C. sold as per govt decision

WASHINGTON D.C., July 13 (SABAH): In compliance with the directions of the Federal Government, the Embassy of Pakistan Washington DC has completed the process of disposing of an old embassy building located at R-Street in Washington D.C. during a ceremony held at Lincoln Library, Waldorf Astoria Hotel Washington.

The ceremony was attended among others by 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 $7.1 million and it was approved by the Federal Cabinet.

Former Congresswoman Eddie Bernice, speaking on the occasion, congratulated Hafeez Khan for buying a historic building with decades long association with Pakistan. She highlighted the successes of Mr. Hafeez Khan and wished him well in his future endeavors.

Hafeez Khan in his remarks 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 dated 30 November 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fact that the building was not being used by the government of Pakistan for past two decades and the US authorities had withdrawn its diplomatic status resulting in exorbitant amount of taxes over the property.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, Ambassador Masood Khan expressed satisfaction that the property had been sold and transferred in pursuance of the Cabinet’s decision. He also clarified that no other property was being sold.