News
Monday, November 19, 2012
Gilani submits reply in Hajj corruption case* Ex-PM expresses distrust over head of FIA investigating team
* Says only allegation made pertains to monetary consideration in appointing Rao Shakil as Hajj DG
By Hasnaat Malik
ISLAMABAD: Submitting his reply to the FIA in Hajj corruption case, former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has contended that the agency’s notice to him was in violation of Article 248(1) of the constitution.
The former PM has also expressed distrust over the head of FIA’s investigating team, Hussain Asghar, which is probing corruption in Hajj arrangements in 2010. Chaudhry Faisal Hussain on behalf of Gilani on Sunday submitted the reply to the FIA’s special investigation team, headed by Hussain Asghar.
The reply stated the only allegation made in the notice pertains to receipt of monetary consideration in appointing Rao Shakil as Hajj director general.
“The prime minister is the final authority in making hundreds of such appointments yet his decision is based on summary received from the relevant ministry, which contains input from several other officials coming within the domain of the hierarchy of the process for appointment.”
It also added that as such any allegation of financial or monetary benefit or impropriety in these circumstances in isolation against the prime minister is an absolute impossibility. Besides, allegation of this kind had to be based on evidence, the onus whereof is on the person levelling such allegation and not on the person on whom such allegation is being levelled. In the absence of such evidence, it would be highly irrelevant in law to furnish any reply to the allegation in question.
The former PM also states in his reply that sending of the notice reflects bias emanating from external pressure and influence, which is manifest on the face of these proceedings keeping in view several orders passed by the Supreme Court and the government as a result whereof Hussain Asghar had lost his capacity to remain independent or be considered impartial.
The SC on November 13 already issued notice to former establishment secretary Ismail Qureshi over the appointment of former director general of Hajj operations, Rao Shakeel. The court will take up this matter on November 19.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk