2010 Hajj scam: Kazmi, Aftabul Islam, Rao Shakeel indicted
Special Judge Central Mian Khalid Shabbir presided over the hearing in which a charge sheet was presented to the accused who pleaded not guilty and said that they will prove that the judgement was wrong.
The court summoned prosecution witnesses on the next date of hearing.
‘I was trapped in the scam’
Speaking to the media outside the court Kazmi said that the FIR lodged in 2010 had “trapped him” in the scam.
He said that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) officials told the court during the hearing that they were “under pressure”.
Speaking about his acquittal plea, former minister said that “he wasn’t given relief according to the law” for which he was disappointed.
He said that the list of witnesses in the case did not have the name of former minister Azam Swati, on whose statement, suo moto action was taken against Kazmi.
Swati had pursued the Hajj corruption case in the Supreme Court relentlessly, which ultimately forced the government to sack former religious affairs minister.
Kazmi said, “Swati’s claims were proven wrong last year in January in the Supreme Court – the same person who brought me here. His name is not there among the witnesses.”
He further said that he had filed a case against Swati for compensation of the damages made to him.
He said that the court did not have any grounds to frame charges against him and to indict him and that he will challenge the indictment.
“When the prosecution says that they have no evidence against me, then why did they indict me? You see where I stand,” he said.
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@Jibran: After knowing the shariah law no body can criticize them. Its all ignorance that brought criticism upon the divine laws otherwise they are the only laws if implemented in letter and spirit can bring peace and prosperity in life.
@Qaiser K. Ahmed: That's why the critics say the Shariah law is barbaric.
Two years have gone and there is no result. Little wonder that people believe the Taliban style of justice is preferred (it would most probably have taken a few days for them to decide this) because it is swift and justice is seen to have been done.
Good job molvi. It is proved again how sick are these people.
I'm sure not one of the readers here can cite a single credible piece of evidence against Mr. Kazmi. Shame on this farce that is passed off as justice and all involved
What if he the courts delares him innocent at the end of the day?
Apply Sharia law in this case . And I believe the punishment for stealing under Sharia law is to chop the hand off.
They should be made an example.
Let justice be done.This fraud on Haj is such serious crime that maximum punishment should be awarded if found guilty
These are the Mullahs that are running Pakistan - what a shame . Just goes to show the govt must not allow Mullah and State to mix
Fool me once - shame on you. Fool me twice - shame on me.
M. RAFIQUE ZAKARIA Karachi
this man is innocent ,May God help him