Hajj scam: Former additional secretary arrested
City District Court handed Tahir back to the Federal Investigation Agency for two days physical remand.
ISLAMABAD:
SM Tahir, the former additional secretary (establishment division), was arrested after his interim bail was rejected on Saturday. Tahir appointed former director general Hajj Rao Shakeel, who is one of those accused of making corrupt arrangements for Hajj.
It is alleged that Tahir violated rules in his preparation of documents approving the appointment of Shakeel. The City District Court handed Tahir back to the Federal Investigation Agency for two days physical remand. He will appear in court again on October 10.
Tahir’s lawyer asked the court to extend his interim bail, but the request was refused by Special Judge Syed Ikhlaq Ahmed. The Hajj corruption scandal relates to accusations of poor and costly arrangement for pilgrims, as well as arrangements of residences far away from Makkah.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 9th, 2011.
SM Tahir, the former additional secretary (establishment division), was arrested after his interim bail was rejected on Saturday. Tahir appointed former director general Hajj Rao Shakeel, who is one of those accused of making corrupt arrangements for Hajj.
It is alleged that Tahir violated rules in his preparation of documents approving the appointment of Shakeel. The City District Court handed Tahir back to the Federal Investigation Agency for two days physical remand. He will appear in court again on October 10.
Tahir’s lawyer asked the court to extend his interim bail, but the request was refused by Special Judge Syed Ikhlaq Ahmed. The Hajj corruption scandal relates to accusations of poor and costly arrangement for pilgrims, as well as arrangements of residences far away from Makkah.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 9th, 2011.