Bail, sentence of Hamid Kazmi: SC issues notices to FIA, Adiala jail officials

The Supreme Court Wednesday issued notices to Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the Adiala Jail officials, seeking a detailed record pertaining to the bail and sentence of former Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Hamid Kazmi awarded in Hajj corruption case.
Appearing before a two-judge bench comprising Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan and Justice Dost Muhammad Sardar in the matter on behalf of Kazmi, Advocate Latif Khosa informed that his client has already completed half term of his sentence. The trial court had awarded sentence to Kazmi in Hajj corruption scam; however, Latif Khosa contended that his client is a pious man who has been behind the bars in Adiala Jail for the last three years and eight months.
He said that sentences of co-accused Raja Aftab and Rao Shakeel have been suspended, saying allegations against Hamid Kazmi were not of embezzlement but of misuse of authority. Responding to Justice Dost Muhammad's query, Latif Khosa apprised that charge of irregularities of Rs 140 million had been levelled against his client. Later, the hearing of the matter was adjourned for two weeks.