Hajj affairs director being grilled on graft charges

LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): Hajj and Religious Affairs Director for southern Helmand province Abdul Hameed Qarizada has been referred to attorney’s office on charges of corruption and misuse of authority.

Governor Hayatullah Hayat told a press conference in Lashkargah, the provincial capital, that the director had allegedly been misusing his position over the past few years.

“He sent people to Hajj out of turn on the one hand and enabled his family members to perform the ritual by fraudulently putting their names on the list of teachers on the other.”

Hayat said Qarizada illegally interfered in administrative affairs and kept 72 posts of religious scholars vacant in violation of rules. Based on these charges, the official was introduced to the attorney’s office.

Helmand Appellate Court head Mohammad Sadiq Farahi confirmed to Pajhwok Afghan News Qarizada had been introduced to them and that he was currently under interrogation.

He said Qarizada had denied the accusations leveled against him. Farahi quoted the director as saying that he was innocent and discharged his duty properly.

About five years back, former head of Hajj affairs was sent to jail after being found gulity of corruption and irregularities. Qazizada succeeded the former head.

sns/mud