Hajj scam: Appointed Shakeel on PM’s order, says Sethi

Sethi was summoned to explain the failure in providing investigators with details regarding Shakeel’s appointment.

ISLAMABAD: Nargis Sethi told the chief investigator of the Hajj scam that she “acted on the directions of ex-premier Yousaf Raza Gilani” in appointing Rao Shakeel as the former Director General (DG) Hajj. Sethi was summoned by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to explain the failure of the former principle secretary in providing investigators with details regarding Shakeel’s appointment. She told Hussain Asghar, chief investigator from the FIA, that she was well aware of the corruption cases against Shakeel but was following her superior officer’s orders. FIA has also summoned Abdul Qadir Gilani, Yousaf Raza Gilani’s son, and his friend Zain Sukhera in the Hajj scam case. An FIA officer told The Express Tribune that Abdul Qadir has sought a two week notice to appear before the agency to record his statement. “We doubt he would ever appear before the FIA,” said the officer.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 8^th, 2012.