Pakistani minister appears in court over Hajj corruption charges

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry scolded Minister Hamid Saeed Kazmi for corrupt practices and observed that it seems that the minister and his ministry are involved in the corruption.

The Supreme Court had taken a suo moto (upon its own motion) notice of media reports that commission was taken in renting residences for Pakistani pilgrims and more money were charges from the pilgrims.

The Chief Justice ordered arrest of Secretary of the Religious Ministry Agha Sarwar Raza Qazilbash and other all top officials who were involved in the corruption. He also ordered investigation into all corrupt officers in the Religious Ministry.

Pakistan's ambassador to Saudi Arabia also alleged that the minister was involved in corruption and that 25,000 rupees (about 294 U.S. dollars) each was taken as commission from thousands of pilgrims going to Mecca.

The Chief Justice, while heading a 5-member bench of the apex court, also asked the government to submit a list of those people who performed pilgrimage on government expenses.

The government has already arrested Director of Pakistan Hajj Affairs, Rao Shakil, who told the government that secretary of the ministry and other senior officers are involved in corruption.

The controversy regarding the scam first came to light when Rao Shakil's name was put on the Exit Control List. It was later removed without any justification. Shakil had been sent to Saudi Arabia to monitor Hajj affairs, Kazinform cites Xinhua. See www.xinhuanet.com