Hamid Saeed Kazmi challenges his conviction in IHC

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Former federal minister and Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leader Hamid Saeed Kazmi has on Wednesday challenged his 16 years imprisonment in the Islamabad High Court in the Hajj corruption case. Latif Khosa Advocate , in a petition, stated that the appointment of Rao Shakeel as Director General was not his authority. The petition further stated that he had no authority to renting out buildings in Saudi Arabia for Hajj pilgrims. It appealed that the verdict of the Special Judge Central Islamabad Malik Nazir Ahmad should be declared null and void. Previously, the court had sentenced to 12 years in jail to ex-federal minister for religious affairs Hamid Saeed Kazmi, 16-year imprisonment to ex-joint secretary ministry of religious affairs Raja Aftabul Islam and 30-year imprisonment to ex-DG Hajj Rao Shakeel Ahmed in Hajj corruption case. The court had also imposed penalty of nearly Rs 150 million on each accused. Hamid Kazmi and Aftabul Islam would have to four year more imprisonment if they would fail to deposit penalty; meanwhile Rao Shakeel would have to spend 10 more years in jail if he would fail to deposit penalty.