Federal Minister of Science and Technology, Azam Khan Swati said that he would put forward a detailed statement with proof of corruption at the next hearing on Monday. –File Photo

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court began hearing petitions of the Hajj corruption case on Thursday. In today’s proceeding, Federal Minister of Science and Technology, Azam Khan Swati delivered a statement against the government and said that he had warned the prime minister about the ongoing Hajj corruption in a cabinet meeting.

Swati further added that the corruption was upon the orders of the Federal Minister of Religious Affairs, Hamid Saeed Kazmi.

Swati said that he would put forward a detailed statement with proof at the next hearing on Monday.

During the hearing, the Chief Justice asked former Director General Hajj, Rao Shakeel to justify the serious allegations against him in the scandal.

The CJ also told Shakeel that morally he should not have accepted the position of DG Hajj.

Rao Shakeel said in his defence that all the pilgrim’s residences were attained on merit. He also said that he dismissed an officer Ahmed Faiz upon corruption charges.

On this remark, Justice Khalilur Rehman Ramday said it seems that everyone except the pilgrims were guilty in this matter.

“Was the government blind not to see the mismanagement of the Hajj event?” Ramday asked

Justice Javed Iqbal added that he hadn’t seen corruption like this in his 28 years of professional life.

Opinion

Editorial

‘Source of terror’
Updated 29 Mar, 2024

‘Source of terror’

It is clear that going after militant groups inside Afghanistan unilaterally presents its own set of difficulties.
Chipping in
29 Mar, 2024

Chipping in

FEDERAL infrastructure development schemes are located in the provinces. Most such projects — for instance,...
Toxic emitters
29 Mar, 2024

Toxic emitters

IT is concerning to note that dozens of industries have been violating environmental laws in and around Islamabad....
Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...