Hajj scam: Blame game continues

Swati accuses Kazmi; former DG admits that fraud had taken place.

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister Azam Swati has accused Religious Affairs Minister Hamid Saeed Kazmi of being responsible for the Hajj scam.

This comes as the Supreme Court snubs former DG Hajj Rao Shakeel.

The minister made the statement during the hearing of the suo motu case regarding irregularities in Hajj operation.

Swati also alleged that the corruption was carried out under the supervision of the federal government and although the matter was taken up before the prime minister, no action had been taken.

Meanwhile, former DG Hajj Rao Shakeel admitted that fraud had taken place in Hajj management.

In response, the Chief Justice inquired as to who is behind the irregularities since the former DG, the minister and the relevant secretary are all claiming innocence. He also said that Rao Shakeel should not have accepted his post when he had corruption cases against him.

The Supreme Court also rejected the FIA report on the scam saying that it seems to secure some personalities.

The case has now been adjourned till December 13.

A Saudi prince had previously written a letter claiming that Pakistani government officials had refused his offer of a cheaper place of accommodation, opting instead for a more expensive residential area. The Chief Justice had subsequently taken suo moto notice of the matter and issued notices to Federal Ministers Hamid Saeed Kazmi and Azam Swati.