Hajj scandal: SC detailed verdict on Asghar, Ahmed matter

ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court on Saturday issued its detailed verdict in writing about making Sohail Ahmed OSD and granting of investigation responsibility to former FIA Director, Hussain Asghar in Hajj corruption case, Geo News reported.

In its 36-page written verdict, the SC stated that a civil servant cannot be made OSD if the Prime Minister, who is the competent authority, is not satisfied with his performance. However, the competent authority has the power to order his transfer but cannot penalize him as was done with Sohail Ahmed in this case.

The verdict further stated that the former DG, Hajj Rao Shakeel Ahmed was appointed to the office in violation of the rules, with a view to facilitate him in indulging in corruption. "The said DG has a tainted past with corruption case pending against him in the Accountability Court, Lahore."

The verdict said that Rao Shakeel's name was also on Exit Control List (ECL) and that Interior Minister Rehman Malik ordered for deletion of the former's name from the ECL.

It was Khushnood Akhtar Lashari, the then Secretary Establishment, who placed on record the summary of the appointment of Rao Shakeel Ahmed as DG Hajj, the ruling said.