Summoned by the FIA: Premier’s son denies involvement in Hajj scam

Abdul Qadir Gilani defends importing bullet-proof vehicle.

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani’s son MPA Abdul Qadir Gilani has decided to defend his decision to import a bullet-proof vehicle, but pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the multi-million Hajj scam.

Qadir Gilani has been summoned by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

“I have nothing to do with the Hajj debacle. The inquiry about my car is independent of the investigation into the Hajj scam. I am being deliberately implicated in the case by my political rivals,” Qadir told The Express Tribune.

Speaking to the media for the first time since the Hajj scam surfaced, the prime minister’s son blamed PML-N lawmakers for launching a malicious campaign against him and his father.

“MNAs Imran Shah and Bilal Yasin must come up with documentary proof to justify their allegations concerning the import of my bullet-proof Land Cruiser,” he countered. “Why have I been singled out for questioning when some 20 bullet-proof cars were imported last year?”

Qadir paid Rs8.5 million as import duty for his black Toyota Prado Land Cruiser. “I have declared the car,” he said. However, he dodged the next question. He would not say where the money came from. “This question is irrelevant,” he countered.

Qadir denied receiving any questionnaire from the FIA quizzing him about his role in the irregularities in last year’s Hajj arrangements.

“The issue came to the forefront when Justice Khalilur Rehman Ramday questioned about my bullet-proof car while conducting the hearing of the Hajj scam last month,” he clarified.

“I will appear before the joint investigation team if the FIA summons me for an explanation.” He said that he already sent a detailed reply to the FIA clarifying his position on the import of the car and he had abided by the state’s laws.

“How can my car be associated with the Hajj scam last year when I had imported it in May 2009?”

He said that he would not comment on the issue because the matter was being heard in court, adding that he would not even respond to statements given by others.

Qadir reserved his opinion on the recent statement by former religious affairs minister Hamid Saeed Kazmi in which he had alleged that some very important persons were involved in the scam. However, Kazmi did not elaborate.

MNA Pirzada Imran Shah refuted the allegations levelled by Qadir, saying he has “never said that the prime minister’s son was involved in the Hajj scam.”

“The bullet-proof car imported for Qadir Gilani from the United Arab Emirates landed in Sahiwal. The invoice was issued in Sukhera’s name,” he said. “Qadir Gilani’s involvement in the Hajj scam can’t be ruled out since Sukhera, a close friend of his, has been implicated and is wanted by the FIA.”

Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Punjab Senator Pervez Rashid did not comment on the issue as the matter was subjudice, but supported the views of the PML-N legislator.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 19^th, 2011.