Red warrants for key Hajj scam accused

FIA submits application with Saudi Interpol, asks for assistance in arresting Ahmed Faiz.

ISLAMABAD:

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has issued a Red warrant for Ahmad Faiz, a key accused in the Hajj scam and requested Interpol for help.

According to the FIA, Ahmed Faiz is a close friend of former DG Hajj Rao Shakil. Allegedly involved in corruption in hiring accommodation from local residents, the latter is already in the Agency’s custody.

DG FIA Wasim Ahmad has sought help from the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the arrest of the main accused in Saudi Arabia, an official seeking anonymity told The Express Tribune.

FIA officials have applied to Interpol for arresting Faiz. The Red warrant was issued on the basis of incriminating evidence discovered in Makkah and Madinah.

The two-member FIA team, currently in Saudi Arabia, has been trying to apprehend Ahmed Faiz for a week.

FIA Deputy Director Khalid Rasool and Mian Mohammad Sabir recorded the statement of Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ali Khan Sherazi – one of the complainants in this saga,” an official said.

They have recorded the statements of Pakistani diplomats in Riyadh and other officials involved in making arrangements for Hajj this year.

The FIA team has investigated the involvement of Muhammad Wasim, Muhammad Raza and Jamali who had made arrangements for the pilgrims’ accommodation.

Former Religious Affairs Minister Hamid Saeed Kazmi has been cooperating with the FIA, sources disclosed.

In another meeting with the former minister is scheduled for next week, investigators will probe the role of Mr Kazmi’s brother-in-law, Abdullah Khokar, in the scam.

The FIA is holding Abdullah Khokar in Islamabad. Joint Secretary Raja Aftab Islam and Secretary Agha Qazalbash are also being interrogated by the FIA.

The FIA team has formally approached Prince Bandar bin Khalid bin Abdul Aziz for enlisting his assistance in the ongoing investigation.

Prince Bandar in a letter to the Supreme Court of Pakistan last month wrote, “There were concrete evidences of financial bungling and departmental corruption as far as the Hajj affairs of the Pakistani ministry are concerned.”

The Chief Justice, acting on his letter, had directed the Hajj ministry to respond to the accusations made by the Saudi Prince within two weeks.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 24th, 2010.