ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Monday asked Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Hamid Saeed Kazmi to take back the Rs 100 million defamation notice he had sent to Federal Minister for Science and Technology Azam Swati over corruption allegations pertaining to haj arrangements.
The prime minister telephoned both the ministers and directed them to refrain from issuing statements against each other as an enquiry has already been initiated to fix the responsibility regarding the corruption in haj arrangements. The prime minister also directed Kazmi, who is currently in Saudi Arabia, to meet him soon after his return and submit a comprehensive report on the issue.
Swati had alleged that Kazmi was involved in corruption and should be held accountable. Reacting to the allegations, Kazmi on sent a notice of Rs 100 million to Swati on Monday morning asking him to either prove the allegations or pay the amount as compensation for leveling false charges against Kazmi and harming his reputation.
The officials of Ministry of Religious Affairs and its Haj Directorate were held responsible for poor arrangements for the Pakistan pilgrims in Saudi Arabia. The pilgrims had also demonstrated against the government for poor and inadequate arrangements.
