Rumors were preferred over facts, but everything will become clear soon, Kazmi said.—AFP photo

LAHORE: The sacked Minister for Religious Affairs, Hamid Saeed Kazmi, on Tuesday maintained that his removal had come becuase of the slanging match between him and another minister, and not on corruption charges.

Speaking at an urs ceremony on the outskirts of Lahore, he termed his removal a conspiracy by a “particular lobby which was after me from the outset”.

“All my defence, which came from respected people like Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, fell on the deaf ears. Had there been any truth in the corruption charges, I would have resigned myself. I feel relaxed after the removal as a big load has been lifted,” Mr Kazmi said.

“Rumors were preferred over facts, but everything will become clear soon,” Mr Kazmi said, terming the ‘campaign’ against him a “trial by media”.

The former federal minister, who belongs to the Barelvi school of thought, gave a call to Ulema and Mashaikh to unite to lend support to the people of their sect who attain high positions.—PPI