Pakistan

Hajj scam: 'There is no proof in allegation against me'

Federal Minister for Religious Affairs says action to be taken against those involved in Hajj arrangement corruption.

Express December 12, 2010

MULTAN: Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Hamid Saeed Kazmi on Sunday said there was no proof regarding allegations leveled against him in the Hajj scam.

Addressing a ceremony in Multan, Kazmi said action will be taken against those involved in corruption relating to annual Hajj arrangements.

Kazmi said it was not the religious minister's responsibility to make residential arrangements for pilgrims and also accused the media of launching a campaign against him.

The Minister for religious affairs said he has sent a legal notice to the Minister for Science and Technology Azam Swati for accusing him of corruption. He also alleged that the Pakistani ambassador to Saudi Arabia is forcing people to give statements against him.

Swati had accused Hamid Saeed Kazmi of being responsible for the Hajj scam. 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.

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.

COMMENTS (4)

julia veronica | 13 years ago | Reply Syed Ijaz and Ahmer Ali why are you closing your eyes from truth. why you are not considering sawati jui saudi government and all culprits involve in hajj scam. JUI saudi government and other bureaucrat did this to fulfill their intention. every one has his own agenda. JUI and saudi government did this for to remove kazmi from ministry. by the way who is saudi government? who destroy fatima uz Zahra(prophet(SAWW) daughter) shrine. who destroy prophet(S,A,W,W) library, who destroy Prophet(SAWW) home. you are taking side of that who have even no respect for their prophet(SAWW). shame on you for calling yourself Muslim. i am not a Muslim and i am not in Pakistan but i know very well about history of Islam and i know very well about kazmi and his whole family.he is a noble person and he is not involve in this scam. just think about who you actually are?

Ahmer Ali | 13 years ago | Reply Assalam-o-Allaikum Warahmatullah.Pakistan is the only country where every corrupt leader,minister or bureaucrat thinks that he is innocent and there is no proof against him of any accusation and allegation even our president Zardari claims also that there is no evidence against him Hamid Saeed Kazmi is minister.In other words Pakistan is a heaven for corrupt leaders,ministers,bureaucrats and elite and privileged class people and every one is allowed to deposit and transfer more and more Dollars in his/her foreign banks' accounts from Pakistan through any resources either illegal or legal.Our leaders have forgotten the rule of first self-accountability as had been shown by Hazrat Umer (R.A) his regime.

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Dr.Razi uddin | 13 years ago | Reply My humble advise to the minister would be to step down,untill he clears his name...as it is more dignified and respectful way,instead of ,as he puts,media throwing dirt on his such a clean image!! But again there is another solution...resign,and take full resposiblity for not paying attention to his utmost resposiblities!!!

Syed Ijaz | 13 years ago | Reply Mr Kazmi is right, there is no proof against him. This is what happens when crooks take over government. The fault lies with these Hajis, who chose to perform Hajj. They should all be arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment, for taking the decision to perform hajj this year. Like all other white collar crimes, there will be no trails leading to these robbers. There never has been, nor will there ever be a trail. Even in this case where the Saudi Government became involved and raised this hue and cry, which resulted in Suo Motto by Supreme Court, nothing will come out because the FIA headed by Mr Waseem, will do what he is ordered to do by this government, which has no intent to hold anybody accountable for corruptiuon, even if hajis are involved.

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