Former minister arrested for corruption in Pakistan

Former minister arrested for corruption in Pakistan

2011-03-16 00:12:33 GMT+7 (ICT)

RAWALPINDI, PAKISTAN (BNO NEWS) -- A former minister on Tuesday was arrested by Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for his involvement in the Hajj corruption case, the APP news agency reported.

Hamid Saeed Kazmi, the former Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, was arrested following the cancellation of his bail plea by a Special Court in Rawalpindi, Punjab province.

Judge Suhail Nasir determined that Kazmi was directly involved in the case and dismissed his bail application. FIA arrested the former minister in the courtroom after the judge's ruling.

FIA already submitted an application with the court in order to seek authorization for the arrest of Kazmi. The document indicated that the former minister is needed for further investigation on the Hajj corruption case.

Kazmi has denied his alleged involvement in the case and claimed that he was dragged into the Hajj arrangements scandal on political grounds. The former minister said that the accusations against him were false and fabricated.

The Hajj corruption case involved officials of the Pakistan Haj operations and Saudi Arabia operators in a scheme to defraud intending pilgrims. FIA alleges that Kazmi was the leader of the corruption case.

The Pakistani officials requested the Saudi operators to overcharge Hajj pilgrims, to book residential buildings rather than hotel rooms, among other things. Approximately, 85,000 pilgrims paid an extra $20 under the scheme.

Kazmi operated a bank account where some of the money was deposited to him as well to other officials, including Raja Aftab, the joint secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

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