Kazmi arrested in Hajj corruption case

Updated at 1705 PST Tuesday, March 15, 2011 

ISLAMABAD: Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested former religious minister Hamid Saeed Kazmi in Hajj corruption scandal after dismissal of his bail plea by court, Geo News reported on Tuesday.

According to Geo News reporter, court was hearing extension of bail case of Kazmi. During the hearing lawyer of Kazmi presented his argument but following some solid evidences from FIA the court dismissed his bail plea.

Later, FIA arrested the former minister outside the courtroom. (GEO URDU)

 Is it more shameful than criminal or other way round?

To me the latest news of today (Tues 15^th March, 2011) saying that Hamid Saeed Kazmi, Former Minister for Religious Affairs has been arrested by Federal Investigation Agency in Islamabad is not just a news but an eye opening and mind boggling subject to be honest.

I will review and analyze the news from varied angles and perspectives so that it’s all details are synthesized to the minutest possible extent which in turn will enable my worthy readers to reach to its depth and feel the heat it has already generated and heated up. Not only in my beloved Pakistan but in so many other countries too, the power ladder has three steps meaning by that today’s minister is prime minister of tomorrow and day after tomorrow he is crowned as president and I doubt if anyone disagrees with me on the point. Let me be specific rather than abstract. Late Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto started as minister then he rose to the post of prime minister and finally he reigned as president so on the same analogy I can very safely and convincingly pen that this route of elevation is open to anybody with no reference to gender; education; mother tongue; caste; creed, wealth and region etc and the minister under reference cannot and should not be taken an exception to the well long guided principle and practice. How could anyone even think to drag off Kazmi from the path of power corridor is my very simple and brute question?

Looting money either directly or indirectly on any pretext is strictly not allowed under any circumstances in any country or society whatsoever and it is even absurd to talk about the quantum of money because none is authorized to take even one paisa what to talk of millions of rupees and not just hundreds or thousands. The punishment is very much relevant and subjective to the money earned in question is involved, in other words, less the money lighter the punishment and higher the money more stiff the punishment. Neither it is logical nor can it be proved in any country located whether in east or west or south and north that the person who earns a little illegal money is not subjected to punishment and instead is declared as exempted from punishment? I, therefore, will say that depending upon the court verdict; Kazmi shall have to spend some jolly good time with rigorous labor or without behind the bars and under a cage.

The minister had the portfolio of religious affairs and that too in an Islamic republic, which in itself, demands of him to be an exemplary Muslim first than a minister so that all of those who see him can follow him and correct themselves if they are wrong in any sense or action or both. Needless to mention, minister is a minister irrespective of the ministry and or division he or she heads but to be a religious affairs minister in an Islamic country carries an extra weight to the ministerial post and this fact I am sure was very much known to the minister even before he assumed the office. Didn’t he dent the auspicious office of minister of religious affairs is my very simple question?

What about the ministerial oath administered to him by the president at the time he was inducted as minister? It is very much imperative and important to assert in quite crystal clear terms devoid of any ambiguity that oath is an oath which is far too above all other manifestations and cannot be interchanged, mixed up or substituted with promise or pledge or intention etc. The minister concerned took the oath and that too not in a solitude rather publicly which was heard and seen by millions of people including both male and female not only within the territorial limits of Pakistan but even much beyond it in east, west, south and north. By undertaking the oath, the minister voluntarily, willingly and at his own without any pressure or intimidation had solemnly declared on his honor that he will be strictly a law abiding citizen in the truest sense and will never ever indulge in any activities which are contrary either Islam and or to the laws of the country. Needless to mention, the oath must not construed neither to be just a formality nor a temporary phase rather in fact it laid the foundation of good character and behavior at least for the period he holds the post of minister Islamic Affairs and not otherwise.

Hajj is one of the 5 pillars of Islam meaning by that the very religion recognizes its importance but I regret the most that the minister concerned did not think even for a fraction of a second as to how come he tried to make money out of it. Each Muslim irrespective of the topographical situation; gender; age; social status and monetary situation etc wishes to perform at least one hajj in his / her life time if not more proves the importance of the pilgrimage. From time immemorial, Muslims go for hajj and it will continue alike till the very dooms day establishes the fact that not a single soul can be found who doesn’t wish to perform hajj. It is an open secret that some of those who have the money and all the means to perform Hajj but due to their health and physical conditions them simply cannot perform a Hajj at their own and hence they strive hard to pay total expenses to someone to go in their place to perform the Hajj. What does it prove? People spend money on others to perform Hajj on their behalf and in case of our this religious affairs minister, he started milking poor pilgrims which is much too regretted and I am completely dumb and numb to grip as to what type of person he is.

As a minister he had an inborn prerogative to fly our national flag at his car, residence and office which is the biggest possible honor what one can boast of. Any business tycoon or for that matter the biggest landlord can rightly show off his wealth which could even run in trillion and not billion but yet such a person despite enjoying such a big purse is not entitled and cannot fly our national flag at his car, office or residence very well proves that the flag is not purchasable with money rather it is conferred upon a few certified officials and not otherwise. I really fail to understand as to how and why he forgot to realize that if he indulges in illegal activities he could be deprived of official pomp and show which far too many aspire but cannot get it. He who once flew our national flag is now handcuffed-a sheer combination of two extremes, from heaven to hell but this is what he opted for self.

Last but not the least, Kazmi has beard which is a sign of respect in my beloved Pakistan and all those who have beard are given due respect and the rule applies to him as well hence he begets respect. However, here the principle of reciprocation is very much applicable which implies that the person keeping beard must prove to be a through gentle to command respect but if the person concerned is just posing to be pious but in reality working in a mala fide manner then quite naturally the person is just exploiting the situation to his own benefit which is very much lamentable. He should not indulge in nefarious activities while keeping the beard for the simple reason that anybody who sees him doing anything illegal will automatically say that the man with the beard did so and so which as such will bring bad name more for the beard than the person. Very often you too must have heard people saying that it is not expected of a bearded man to work otherwise.

Summing up, at least I cannot figure out whether the actions of our former religious minister were more shameful or more criminal or alternatively more criminal and more shameful, however, in any of the two situations the minister has certainly stooped down so low that it simply cannot be even described in words. I very sincerely wish that he should be the last minister to have behaved so and the rest of the ministers must remain steadfast to the oath they have been administered but I have some reservations on the same.

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With my honest and solemn prayers

Sincere Iqbal Hadi Zaidi / Kuwait