Pakistan's ex-minister of religious affairs jailed for corruption in pilgrimage
Xinhua, June 3, 2016 Adjust font size:
A court in Pakistan on Friday awarded 16 years in jail to a former religious affairs minister, Hamid Saeed Kazmi, for his involvement in corruption in the pilgrimage, court officials said.
Kazmi, an influential minister in the government of Pakistan Peoples Party, was accused of hiring residences for the pilgrims in Saudi Arabia on higher rate in 2010.
A total of 35,000 Pakistanis pilgrims were affected due to high charges.
Special Judge Central Nazeer Ahmad also convicted two former senior officials of the religious affairs ministry, Aftab Islam and Rao Shakil, and awarded them 16 and 40 years jail term respectively.
The three accused, who who were in the court room at the time of the decision, were taken into custody by the police as the judge delivered the verdict.
Some members of the parliament and Saudi officials were also suspected to be involved in the corruption.
A Saudi Prince had written to then Chief Justice of Pakistan that he had evidence about the corruption. The Supreme Court had later ordered inquiry into the matter.
Abdul Qadir Gilani, the son of former Prime Minster Yusuf Raza Gilani, was also investigated into the matter but he was cleared of charges. Endit