Hajj scam: Kazmi remanded for four more days

Remand extended so investigators can question him further about his alleged involvement in the Hajj scam.

ISLAMABAD: Former minister for religious affairs Hamid Saeed Kazmi was remanded in the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) physical custody for another four days on Saturday so investigators can question him further about his alleged involvement in the multi-million-rupee Hajj scam.

Senior Civil Judge Liaquat Ali Kharal directed the FIA to produce the former minister before the court again on March 30. Kazmi was brought to the court amid tight security as dozens of his supporters gathered outside chanting slogans in his favour.

FIA Assistant Director (Legal) Khalid Naeem Butt submitted a document before the court apparently showing that Kazmi had appointed Ahmed Fiaz, the main accused in the case, as buildings officer in Saudi Arabia to arrange for accommodation for pilgrims during the Hajj. “Experts will examine the appointment to verify whether it was written by Kazmi himself or not,” he told the court

Defence counsel Syed Wajid Ali Gilani said that the agency had kept Kazmi for the last 10 days but not been able to prove anything because he was innocent.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 27^th, 2011.