Kazmi hopes to prove innocence in court: FIA blamed for baseless rumours about his assets

Blaming Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for character assassination, former minister for religious affairs, Hamid Saeed Kazmi, on Sunday said that baseless rumours had been spread regarding his assets, and he was still hoping to prove his innocence in the Supreme Court.
Addressing a news conference here, the former minister, who is currently facing corruption charges in Hajj arrangements, rejected reports regarding his balance in bank account provided to the Supreme Court by FIA, saying that he has only Rs 2,72,000 amount in his account.
He said there is a seminary as his earning source from where he takes salary, and added that his real earning source was lectures he delivers abroad besides a brother in England who uses to send money in foreign currency into his account.
Kazmi said that the house, which has been identified in the FIA report, was constructed before he became minister and he shifted in it in 2005. He said that he purchased the land for construction of the house for Rs 1.2 million.
He said that the FIA had failed to produce before the court any evidence regarding his alleged involvement in Hajj corruption and also urged the Supreme Court to summon Pakistan's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Umar Khan Alisherzai to enquire for alleging him (Kazmi) of corruption in the Hajj arrangement.
He also blamed the FIA for taking bribe from former Minister for Science and Technology Azam Khan Swati, saying that it (FIA) was doing his character assassination at the behest of Swati. He also blamed FIA for misleading the apex court. He said that he had registered complaint with Prime Minister and President about his alleged character assassination by the FIA.
Kazmi, who was granted bail before arrest by a court in Lahore after district court of the Federal Capital issued his arrest warrant, said that there was no justification in issuing his arrest warrant as he was co-operating with the FIA and also termed the move as his character assassination by covert forces. When asked why he failed to check corruption in the ministry, he said that it would be better to ask the same question from Chief Justice of Pakistan as to why corruption could not be eliminate from judiciary and other government departments.
Kazmi also blamed Swati for participation in the funeral prayers of Ahmedi community in the United States and added that he (Swati) was using all means for his arrest. He said that he was not going anywhere and would prove his innocence in the court.
He also blamed Swati for issuing fake cheque of +ACQ- 1 million as assistance to affectees of thunderstorm in Dodyal, Manshera in 2001, which later was proved fake, and also highlighted in the national media.
Regarding appointment of ex-DG Hajj, Shakeel, he said that the appointment was made by Prime Minister despite his opposition to the appointment because he (Shakeel) was tainted in NAB cases. He said that the main accused in Hajj scam, Ahmed Faiz, was also not appointed on his suggestion.