Hajj scam: NAB to distribute Rs 16 million among affected persons

National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will distribute a total of Rs 16 million among the 234 Hajj Scam affectees in the light of decision of Accountability Court Peshawar, upheld by Peshawar High Court on a reference filed some two years ago against Aqeel Travels & Tours, Nowshera.
The said amount will be distributed among the affectees in a ceremony to be held at NAB, KP office Hayatabad on October 18th next at 1000 hours. The Accountability Court has convicted the accused for a term of seven years rigorous imprisonment with a fine of Rs 40 million. Peshawar High Court also dismissed the appeal of the accused and upheld the judgement of the former.
NAB had initiated inquiry against Abdul Aqeel, the owner of Aqeel Travels and others on receipt of a joint complaint lodged by 59 persons, the number of complainants later increased during the inquiry process. The accused had deprived the affectees of their hard-earned money in year 2008 on the pretext of sending them for Hajj. It is notable that despite repeated requests by the KP government and NAB for general public to follow legal course of action while performing Umrah an Hajj by avoiding unauthorised and unregistered tour operators.