'Issue notices to those who performed Hajj on government expenses': Supreme Court asks FIA

The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed FIA to issue notices to those who had performed Hajj on government expenses, including interior ministry which facilitated a large number of journalists to perform the sacred religious rite without a single penny from their pocket.
A four-member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry comprising Justice Javed Iqbal, Justice Raja Fayyaz and Justice Ghulam Rabbani was hearing Hajj corruption case. An FIA official informed the court that the CEO Bahria Town made the payment for PIA plane, chartered for the Hajis, who had performed Hajj on government expenses.
Justice Fayyaz remarked, did he make the payment voluntarily or was asked to do so after the apex court heard the case. The CJP said an ordinary citizen could not charter plane, as there was lengthy procedure for it. Syed Javed Ali Bokhari, additional DG FIA informed the court that as per court directives, daily investigation report is being filed before Justice Raja Fayyaz Ahmed on regular basis.
On the basis of these reports, a conclusion has also been drawn by his lordship that the pace of progress of investigation appears to be extremely slow and no effective legal steps and action so far has been taken by the investigating officer against all concerned.
The investigators told the court that these reports reflect that government functionaries are deliberately hampering and obstructing the course of investigation but consequential action so far has not been resorted to against any of the defaulters by the FIA. Justice Raja Fayyaz Ahmad observed that it was a legal duty cast upon the investigating officer to deeply examine all the material aspects of the case and to collect all incriminating material.
The investigators told the court that despite knowing the fact that there was case pending before NAB against Rao Shakeel, former DG Hajj, the government appointed him as director-general Hajj in Saudi Arabia. To a question that Hazarvi, former director Hajj was also involved in the scam, the investigators replied in positive and said he is still wandering scot-free in Saudi Arabia. The bench also pointed out that for the last so many years no audit of Hajj funds was conducted.
The FIA investigators, while quoting statements of Abid Munir and Naseer, told the court that Shagufta Jumani, former state minister for religious affairs was also involved in the corruption but she was vehemently denied the charges when questioned. The court was further informed that State Bank of Pakistan is not providing details of transactions of former religious affairs minister of the ruling PPP, who was arrested on Tuesday by investigators after a judge rejected his petition seeking pre-arrest bail.
Justice Raja Fayyaz asked the investigators that under law FIA could take action against those officers who do not co-operate with the agency in discharging their official duty. Justice Chaudhry directed FIA to show zero tolerance in corruption cases. The FIA director informed that Ahmed Faiz, an agent who had hired buildings for pilgrims was still in Saudi Arabia. He said his passport had been cancelled and Faiz along with his family is taking refuge illegally in Saudi Arabia, as their visas have also been expired. The hearing was adjourned till April 8.