November 01, 2007	Thursday	Shawwal 19, 1428

ISLAMABAD, Oct 31: Two travel agents were arrested on the charge of defrauding 20 intending Hajis of over Rs3 million.

As per details, Chaudhry Mohammad Razzaq lodged a compliant with Kohsar police stating that he had given Rs3,140,000 to Aftab Ahmad and Mohammad Latif of Karwan-i-Insaf Hajj and Umrah Operators located in Blue Area.

When the travel agents failed to make arrangements for them for Hajj, the complainant asked them to return the money. The accused gave him a cheque but it was dishonoured on October 29.

The police said Mr Razzaq paid the amount to the accused three months ago for Hajj for a group of 20 people. During this period the accused made lame excuses and gave him different dates for the departure of the group to Saudi Arabia.

Mr Razzaq got suspicious and inquired about the operator from the Ministry of Religious Affairs which informed him that Karwan-i-Insaf Hajj and Umrah Operators had not been given any quota for Hajj.

He then asked the accused to either make the necessary Hajj arrangements for his group or return the amount. Therefore the accused issued him a cheque, but it was dishonoured.

The police have registered a case on charge of fraud and arrested the accused. They were produced in the court of law where they were given in police custody for three days.