Federal Minister for Science and Technology Azam Swati , from Jamiat-e- Ulemai Islam (JUI) had alleged that the whole Haj team, led by Minister for Religious Affairs Hamid Kazmi, had fleeced money from Pakistani Hujaj and made improper Haj arrangements.

Following a flood of complaints about this year’s Haj operations, Chief Justice Iftkhar Chaudhry issued notices to all officials involved in the alleged scam.

On Thursday, when the Supreme Court resumed its hearing on the case, Federal Minister Azam Swati accused his fellow Cabinet colleague saying: “He (Hamid Kazmi) is directly responsible for massive corruption during Haj operation.”

Swati told the court that the alleged corruption was carried out under the supervision of the federal government and although the matter was taken up before the prime minister, “no action had been taken so far.”

The Director General of Haj operation, Rao Shakeel, who was earlier placed under arrest by the Federal Investigation Agency, admitted before the court that he did what he was asked by the ministry to do.

“I rented those buildings which were favored by the ministry,” he said.

In response, the Chief Justice inquired as to who is behind the irregularities since the former DG, the minister and the relevant secretary are all claiming innocence. He also said that Rao Shakeel should not have accepted his post when he had corruption cases against him.

Hamid Kazmi, the federal minister for Religious Affairs, made a comment without realizing its implications: “There was lesser corruption during this Haj than last year”.

These prompted a burst of laughter from those attending the court proceedings.

The chief justice expressed his displeasure saying: “You people did not even spare poor Hujaj.”

Court adjourned the hearing till Dec.16.