ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday reserved its verdict in a bail application filed by former federal minister for religious affairs Hamid Saeed Kazmi seeking release from prison before Eid.

IHC Chief Justice Mohammad Anwar Khan Kasi reserved the verdict after counsels of Kazmi and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) concluded their arguments.

On June 3, Judge Malik Nazir Ahmad of the special court central had awarded six years imprisonment each on two counts to Kazmi, the then DG Hajj, Rao Shakeel, and a former joint secretary ministry of religious affairs, Raja Aftabul Islam, and imposed a fine of approximately Rs147. 4 million on each of them.

While referring to the jail report, Khosa argued that Kazmi had already spent two years and four months in jail and would serve the remaining period if he was not acquitted by the court.

Khosa argued that Kazmi had been punished for his role of a supervisor and it was as if the prime minister be arrested for the corruption of a clerk deputed at the secretariat. He said Kazmi had no role in obtaining buildings on rent for the pilgrims and there was no allegation of receiving commission or kickbacks against him.

He added that Saudi government had returned SR6.65 million to the pilgrims thanks to Mr Kazmi.

Countering the arguments, the FIA prosecutor Azhar Chaudhry said Kazmi had gone to Saudi Arabia to review arrangements for the pilgrims and he was accused of approving under-construction buildings that lacked facility of washrooms in connivance with Ahmed Faiz.

Following the arguments, the court reserved verdict.

Published in Dawn, June 30th, 2016