ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Interior, Rehman Malik told the National Assembly on Monday that there was reportedly over Rs.36 million (1.6 million Riyals) corruption made in Hajj arrangements during the current season. He said that on the directives of Interior Ministry, several accused, including former DG Hajj Rao Shakeel had been arrested and investigation was going on, details of which would be provided to the parliament soon. He, however, highlighted the importance of improving Hajj policy for which the Ministry of Interior would indicate grey areas where there were chances of corruption. He said that there was a need to keep check on agents, who only operate during Hajj season. He said that the ministry had launched an anti-corruption campaign and sacked several officers for their involvement in corruption adding that the ministry would keep on informing the parliament about its progress. Terming the Transparency International's survey as substandard, he said that its recent report which ranked Pakistan at 34th place was not based on facts adding that 34.5 percent of the information was taken from a single channel out of which 98 percent was based on lies. He said that the reports should not be made on gossips adding that "investors have run away as they consider us corrupt". Replying to the observations made by Chaudhry Nisar, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly rgarding US interference in Pakistan's national matters, Malik urged the House to constitute a committee to frame rules and regulations for dealing and working with foreigners. About Umar Cheema, a journalist, he said that a report regarding his torture would be put before the parliament in next session.
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