Hajj scam: FIA team dubs statements contradictory

FIA team claims to have collected important evidence regarding the Hajj scam from officials and tour operators.

The Federal Investigation Authority (FIA) on Saturday claimed to have collected important evidence regarding the Hajj corruption scam, after interrogating various officials and tour operators in Saudi Arabia.

Sources reveal that the FIA investigated the Assistant Accounts Officer and other officials of the Hajj mission in Saudi Arabia. Authorities collected the details of the accounts which were used by officials. The FIA also interrogated tour operators and hotel owners. The agency claims that the investigation reveals contradictions in the statements of various stakeholders.

The team also held meetings with Saudi officials.

The FIA is probing into an embezzlement of millions of rupees in Hajj affairs, the crossfire over which provoked Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani into axing two federal ministers from the cabinet three days back.

In December, a high level FIA team flew to Saudi Arabia to unearth evidence of irregularities in Hajj affairs.

Earlier the FIA team had approached Prince Bandar bin Khalid bin Abdul Aziz in an effort to collect more evidence related to the multi-million rupee scam. Statements from Pakistani diplomats in Riyadh and officials involved in Hajj arrangements had also been recorded.

The two-member team, consisting of Khalid Rasool and Mian Mohammad Sabir, is expected to  submit their findings before the Supreme Court by the first week of January, The Express Tribune had reported earlier.

The corruption and irregularities in the Hajj scam which had put an extra burden of Rs35,000 on each pilgrim this year and led to the sacking of former federal minister Hamid Saeed Kazmi and Azam Swati has sent ripple effects through the political landscape of the country ending up in the JUI-F quiting from the coalition.