Kazmis judicial remand extended for 14 days

Former religious affair minister Hamid Saeed Kazmi was brought to the senior civil judge of Islamabad Aslam Gondal’s court in Haj corruption case on Wednesday.

Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Additional Director General Khalid Butt told the court that the FIA found 14 plots that were registered against the name of Kazmi’s family members. He said that the total value of plots was estimated around Rs 4 million and the FIA would submit evidence to the court in this regard.

Extending the judicial remand of the former minister, the court sent him to jail for 14 days.

Hajj scam: More religious ministry staff members found involved

FIA extended the circle of its investigation into the Hajj corruption case after it managed to get hands on evidence regarding the involvement of some staff members of religious affairs ministry.

According to the sources, evidence has been found, which confirmed the alleged involvement of some staff members of the religious ministry deputed in Saudi Arabia in the accommodation scam in two holy cities of Makkah and Medina.

It is also learnt that action would be taken to arrest the accused soon for which FIA would contact the Interpol. Efforts are also underway to collect more proof regarding Hamid Saeed Kazmi, ex-minister for religious affairs and secretary for religious affairs Agha Sarwar.

Kazmi reiterates his innocence

Dismissed minister Hamid Saeed Kazmi on Tuesday said that had the allegations on him genuine, he would have resigned earlier.

He also called for evidence regarding the corruption allegations on him in Hajj arrangements. Addressing an Urs ceremony of Khawaja Muhammad Shafi at Lahore, Kazmi maintained that those accusing him of corruption are themselves are not upright people.

Being a minister I cannot give statements against the allies, he stated and added that but now I can justify myself before the publilc. Kazmi said, I am not fond of worldly positions; ministry can be taken back from me but not the public support. He said that he went through the worst media trial.

Kaira defends sacking of Kazmi, Swati

ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira defended the sacking of Hamid Saeed Kazmi and Azam Swati as federal ministers, saying that it was the demand of the media and judiciary.

Speaking to journalists in Islamabad toady, he denied reports of differences between President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani over the issue of ministers’ removal.

“Those talking about these differences will fail to achieve their vested interests,” he said.

He quoted the judiciary saying that a transparent probe into Haj corruption was not possible in the presence of the Secretary and Federal Minister. TrendPK

JUI (F) Quits Alliance Government

ISLAMABAD, trendpk: JUI-F chief Fazl ur Rehman announced to quit coalition government .

Earlier today, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has sacked Hamid Saeed Kazmi and JUI-F’s Azam Swati from their portfolios following a dispute involving hajj scandal and a tirade between the two ministers.

FIA interrogates Kazmi over Hajj scam

Higher authorities of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) met with the federal minster for religious affairs Hamid Saeed Kazmi and interrogated him over the recent corruption scandal in Hajj this year, trendpk.Com reported on Thursday.
Talking exclusively to trendpk.Com representative, the federal minister said that the FIA officials had come to talk to him and they asked him about the responsibilities delegated with different officers during the Hajj operation this year.
Hamid Saeed Kazmi denied all the allegations on him regarding corruption in the Hajj operation this year. He said that when he asked for compensation from the Saudi government for the Pakistani pilgrims, the local media said that Hamid Saeed has annoyed the Saudi government. He also said that Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif also made a statement that the Saudi embassy had taken up the matter with federal government while the embassy issued a denial the very next day.

Swati seeks Kazmi’s removal as Religious Minister

Staff Report

MANSEHRA: Federal Minister for Science and Technology Azam Khan Swati has called for immediate removal of Hamid Saeed Kazmi as Federal Religious Minister over alleged Haj corruption.

He was speaking to journalists after attending an oath-taking ceremony at Private Education Institute of Management Association in Mansehra on Sunday.

He said that thousands of pilgrims had to face difficulties during Haji pilgrimage due to mismanagement of Federal Religious Minister. Trend Pk

Riyadh to return SR 250 to every Haj pilgrim

Staff Report

JEDDAH: The Government of Saudi Arabia has announced to return 250 Saudi Riyals (SR) to each Pakistani Hajji as a token compensation against the troubles faced during the Hajj.

The Federal Minister of Religious Affairs, Hamid Saeed Kazmi, has called on the Saudi Hajj Minister, Prince Fawad al-Farsi today.

During the meeting, the Saudi Hajj Minister announced to return some amount to all Pakistani Hajjis to heal their some miseries they faced during their stay in Hijaz. He also offered Hamid Saeed Kazmi to extend his stay in Saudi Arabia for further two days. Trend Pk

Saudi to compensate Pakistani pilgrims: Kazmi

Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Hamid Saeed Kazmi has said that the Saudi ministry of Hajj agreed to compensate the Pakistani pilgrims who remained deprived of residences at Mina.

The affectees would be given compensation of 250 riyals each. Talking to media after holding a meeting with Saudi Minister for Hajj Fawadul Farsi, Kazmi said that the Saudi government would give the money within two days.

Kazmi would return to Pakistan on Nov 25.

Hajis to return to Mecca to perform rituals today

Staff Report

MECCA: Hajis are completing last rituals of Haj and will return back to Mecca after performing Rami (stoning the devil), Trend Pk learnt Thursday.

Hajis will spend one night in Mecca after performing all three Rami and will start their departure from tomorrow after doing their last circumambulate.

PIA will start their Haj flights from November 21, 2010 which will continue till December 21.

According to Minister of Religious Affairs Hamid Saeed Kazmi, the Saudi government has created a committee to monitor difficulties faced by Pakistani hajis along with other four countries’ hajis. Trend Pk

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