Former Pilgrims Affairs officer accused of embezzling millions from Hajj funds

ISLAMABAD (Zubair Kasuri): Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Chaudhry Salik Hussain wrote Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi about the alleged misappropriation of public money by a former Assistant Accounts Officer at the Office of Pilgrims Affairs Pakistan (OPAP) in Jeddah.

In a letter written to the interior minister, a copy of which is available with Daily Ausaf, alleged that Muhammad Kaleem, a former Assistant Accounts Officer at the Office of Pilgrims Affairs Pakistan (OPAP) in Jeddah, embezzled 879,243.88 Saudi Riyal (approximately 51 million Pakistani Rupees) during his posting in Saudi Arabia from 2018 to 2021.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony (MORA&IH), responsible for Hajj arrangements, has accused Kaleem of misappropriating public funds meant for accommodation, transportation, and food for Pakistani pilgrims.

The Ministry claimed to have initiated legal proceedings and involved the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) by filing an FIR against Kaleem.

Despite repeated requests from MORA&IH and the Controller General of Pakistan (CGA), the Ministry of Interior and FIA have yet to issue Red Warrants for Kaleem’s arrest, hindering the recovery of the embezzled money.

The CGA has reportedly dismissed Kaleem from service and imposed a major penalty, including recovery of the embezzled funds, under the Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 2020.

Hussain’s letter urges Naqvi to intervene and direct the FIA to expedite the issuance of Red Warrants against Kaleem, emphasizing the need to recover the misappropriated public funds.

This case highlights the vulnerability of public funds to embezzlement and underscores the need for swift action and inter-agency coordination to bring those responsible to justice and recover stolen assets.