ISLAMABAD, March 16: A racket of human smuggling in the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) was exposed by the Senate Standing Committee on Sports, Youth Affairs and Culture as it probed the matter here on Tuesday. In addition to conceding that some individual officers of PHF were allegedly involved in human smuggling, the PHF accepted that nepotism took place in award of a Rs20 million contract to a non-IATA (International Airlines Transport Association) registered travel agency, opened by a person formerly associated with hockey affairs. The PHF officials could not satisfy the committee about the appointment of former MPA Akhtar Rasool in the Federation despite his conviction in the Supreme Court storming case.

According to the details, the human smuggling racket in PHF was exposed following tough questioning of the armed forces officials serving in the Federation by senators Enver Baig, Murad Shah and Dr Firdous as the committee met under the chairmanship of Senator Zafar Iqbal.

The committee, headed by Senator Zafar Iqbal, directed PHF secretary Brig Musarratullah to present the inquiry report which probed the allegations of human smuggling before the senators for recommending suitable action against the culprits.

Brig Musarratullah, while trying to absolve the PHF of the charges of human smuggling, requested the senators “not to tie the individual mistake to the institution (PHF).”

Senator Baig, whose probing questions led to unearthing of the racket said the country was getting a bad name in the West on allegations of human smuggling and action had to be taken to rectify the country’s image. He demanded a copy of all the letters written by the PHF to different embassies for visa during the last four years to ascertain the true magnitude of the problem in addition to the cases which have already come to light.

When senators Baig and Dr Firdous demanded a copy of the inquiry report, Brig Musarratullah said the same had been sent directly to the PHF president “about 20 days ago” and the secretariat did not get the report. On this, the chairman said the PHF president would be called to present the report before the committee. Senator Rozina Alam suggested that a sub-committee should be formed to further probe the matter.

Senators Baig, Dr Firdous and Murad took exception to what they said was a deliberate attempt by the PHF to hide facts from the committee as the Federation in one of its letters had told the committee members that they could check the details of certain record in the PHF office. Considering it as disrespect to the supremacy of the parliament and a breach of privilege of the members, Senator Baig said, “the committee members are not the paid servants of the PHF”. He said the officials were bound to bring the record asked for before the committee.

However, the committee did not proceed against the PHF officials for writing the letter on which the breach of privilege proceedings could have been initiated. Explaining the reasons for no taking the strict action, a senator told Dawn the committee took a lenient view because officials would get time to get used to the notions of parliamentary accountability and practices.

Senator Baig also questioned the PHF officials when they submitted what he said were blank, unsigned and undated copies of the agreements submitted to the committee by the Federation. He warned the officials not to undermine the committee by not furnishing the correct desired information.

Senator Baig questioned the award of a contract worth approximately Rs20 million to a non-IATA registered Peshawar-based travel agent by PHF management without any pre-qualification bids. Senator Baig questioned the nepotism by PHF officials to award such a huge contract to a non-IATA registered travel agent.

Appearing visibly under pressure of the parliamentary probe, Brig Mussaratulah conceded that contract was given to the travel agent as “a hockey related man had opened the travel agency.” On his first exposure to parliamentary powers of probe by a committee of the sovereign upper house, the Sindh sports minister, Qamar Mansoor, expressed his ignorance of the democratic principles of accountability when he said it appeared that if they were before a highest forum of accountability and being held answerable. The minister had come to the meeting in an advisory capacity to the PHF. However, before the remarks of the provincial minister could spark a new controversy, Federal Minister for Sports and Culture, Senator Muhammad Ali Durrani, used his experience to step in and assure the committee that all the documents required would be presented.

Senator Baig questioned the appointment of Akhtar Rasool as chairman of the hockey selection committee in violation of Supreme Court verdict and the PHF rules. He said a letter written by the PHF secretary also objected to his election as a representative in District Hockey Association Lahore.

Quoting from the letter written by Brig Musarratullah, Senator Baig said, “in the Supreme Court full bench decision given in Criminal Appeal No 162 of 1999, he was found guilty, convicted and sentenced. Mr Akhtar Rasool was also suspended by the competent authority and removed from the office of the PHF president by due process under the PHF constitution.”

Quoting the letter of Brig Mussaratullah, Senator Baig said, “according to Article 12(a)(i) and (d) (ii) of the PHF constitution, Mr Akhtar Rasool Chaudhry is ineligible to be elected as representative.” Senator Baig said a wrong example was set by the PHF to appoint a convinced person as selector of the hockey team.

Mr Rasool, who was present on the occasion said a legal opinion was sought by the Punjab government before his nomination and in light of that legal opinion, he was given the appointment as selector.