http://www.dawn.com/2011/02/13/kazmi-terms-corruption-charges-against-him-as-baseless.html

ISLAMABAD: Former Minister for Religious Affairs Hamid Saeed Kazmi on Sunday said that corruption allegations levelled against him were baseless and an effort of his character assassination by the conspirers.

Addressing a press conference Kazmi said, “FIA reports have clearly mentioned that no action can be taken against me on the basis of false evidences unless any of these are proved.”

He alleged Azam Swati, who according to him hatched conspiracies, was a corrupt man and wanted by the United States Government in insurance, fraud and money laundering cases.

The crime report of Yousaf Khan, son of Ahmad Khan from Oggi Jail in Mansehra, can define well the status and background of Azam Swati,” Kazmi claimed.

About his assets, Kazmi said that the account of parliament has a total transaction of Rs. 10,140,000 since assuming the office of the Member National Assembly (MNA).

While his foreign currency account has a balance of 60,000 sterling pounds which is white money and has been transferred through his brother’s account in the United Kingdom, he added.

Regarding 46 acres of land property in Rahim Yar Khan, Kazmi said the land was transferred by a local landlord to his family for establishing a ‘Jamia’ and his own share of land was 66 kanal.

The construction of his house in Multan was completed prior to being elected as MNA and he has been living there since 2006, he said.

“Madrassas are not only my source of income but I used to deliver lectures in foreign countries like Australia and the United States,” Kazmi said.

About the appointment of Ahmad Faiz, Kazmi said he had no role in the appointment of Ahmad Faiz and that director general Hajj, Rao Shakeel appointed him without his consent.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Umer Ali Khan Sherazi has levelled an allegation against him of getting Rs 25,000 commission per Haji and giving undue favour to a religious group for Haj visas, which is totally baseless and an effort of his character assassination, he said.

“The Supreme Court must summon Umer Khan Sherazi and leader of that religious group,” he demanded.

Clarifying another allegation about renewal of Ahmad Faiz’s passport, he said he just wrote a letter to DG Passport for issuing official passport to Ahmad Faiz on recommendation of Rao Shakeel.

“The responsibility lies on passport issuing authorities to check either the person qualifies for acquiring passport or not,” he said.

About his pictures with Ahmad Faiz, which were presented in court as an evidence to prove his affiliation with Ahmad Faiz prior to his appointment, he said, “Our pictures together were of the visit to various buildings in Saudi Arabia which were already discussed in the meeting of National Assembly Standing Committee.”

About his single call record to Ahmad Faiz by FIA through his residential phone, Kazmi said that he never contacted Ahmad Faiz through phone and usually operator handled the calls.