Ministry official handed over to FIA

Raja Aftab-ul-Islam accused in the Hajj scam handed over to FIA for three-day physical remand.

ISLAMABAD: A civil court on Friday handed over joint secretary Raja Aftab-ul-Islam, one of the accused in the Hajj scam, to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for a three-day physical remand to look into the embezzlement of millions of rupees. The accused will be produced before the court by December 13.

FIA had arrested Aftab, joint secretary of the ministry of religious affairs, on Thursday on corruption charges, involving irregularities in the accommodation acquired in Saudi Arabia for pilgrims this year. Aftab was the head of the committee which made arrangements for the renting of flats.

During the hearing, officials from FIA informed the court that the interior ministry had given them the task of getting to the root of the multi-million-rupee scam and ensuring the arrest of the culprits.

“The circle of investigation is being expanded to unveil the big fish involved in corruption,” they contended.

Talking to the media Aftab denied the charges against him, saying, “I am innocent and will prove this before the court.”

He did not reply when pressed to name any other official involved in the case.

Earlier, the government hinted that all officers who are allegedly involved will be arrested. In this regard, the names of federal secretary Hajj and acting DG Hajj Sultan Shah were also mentioned for interrogation.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 11^th, 2010.