RAWALPINDI, Aug 2: The Special Judge Central (SJC) resuming hearing in Haj scam on Tuesday directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to publish advertisements in newspapers against proclaimed offender Ahmed Faiz and submit complete challan in the case by August 18.

Ahmed Faiz allegedly received Rs180 million as kickbacks for getting residences for pilgrims in Makkah. He was allegedly a front man of former minister for religious affairs Hamid Saeed Kazmi.

In previous hearings, the FIA told the court that despite several summonses, Ahmed Faiz had not appeared in court and that he had run away from the country. Upon this, the court issued arrest warrants of Ahmed Faiz on July 4 and on July 19 it also declared him proclaimed offender.

During the proceeding on Tuesday, Hamid Saeed Kazmi, joint secretary Haj Aftab Raja and former director-general Haj Rao Shakeel Ahmed were also present in the courtroom. The hearing was adjourned till August 18.

The police produced former DG Haj Rao Shakeel in the court handcuffed. After the trial, the accused was shifted to Adiala Jail amid tight security. He was in the custody of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Lahore in another case and on July 19, the court had directed the Punjab police to present Rao Shakeel before the court.

Talking to newsmen, Mr Kazmi said he would request Speaker National Assembly Dr Fehmida Mirza to provide him a chance like the one she had given to MNA Anjum Aqeel Khan to explain his position on the floor of the house.

Replying to a question, Hamid Saeed said he would soon submit an application in the court seeking restoration of his bank accounts.

Earlier, the Supreme Court rejected his bail application as well as that of joint secretary Raja Aftab Islam after the Additional Attorney General opposed the bail.