KARACHI A sacked Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) employee on Sunday claimed he has been threatened by PHF officials on behalf of secretary Asif Bajwa for protesting and demanding his money he had loaned to the federation.
Protesting outside the Hockey Club of Pakistan, former PHF accountant Imtiaz Baig along with his wife and children, said he had been threatened by PHF director administration Iftikhar Syed to quit protesting against PHF or he would face dire consequences.
“I have been called by Iftikhar Syed and asked to come at Hockey Club of Pakistan where he had threatened me that whatever I am doing is wrong. Iftikhar also threatened me that I should quit protesting against PHF or I will be fixed by vice-president PHF Wasay Jalil, who is also the Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader. Iftikhar and Asif Bajwa are misusing Wasay Jalil's name to threaten me,” Imtiaz told Dawn.com at the entrance of the venue.
The main gate of the venue was being guarded by policemen while the Hockey Club of Pakistan staff was deputed at the gate which was closed to prevent the protestors from entering the stadium.
Imtiaz, however, said he felt insecure as Asif might try to hurt him by misusing Wasay's name and in that case Asif and Iftikhar would be responsible.
“Although I believe Wasay Jalil has nothing to do with all these threats, PHF can try to silence by sending some people to attack me. If anything happens to me, than my family will lodge FIRs against Asif Bajwa, Iftikhar Syed, and PHF director works Shujaat Naqvi who has played a vital role in harassing me,” said Imtiaz.
When the former PHF employee raised a hue and cry in front of the venue, Iftikhar came outside with the money, but Imtiaz did not accept, saying he would like to have a cheque and a written statement by PHF informing him about the reason for the delay in releasing the amount.
Before being sacked, Imtiaz had given Rs 94,500 to PHF Karachi Camp Office at Hockey Club of Pakistan as it was short of cash to meet the PHF expenditures. The amount was for paying gas bill, air tickets, construction of posts for TV cameras, cell phone bills of Asif Bajwa and selector Rana Mujahid, surety bonds of national team players, insurance and catering bills for the officials during series between Pakistan senior and junior teams.
Apart from the said amount which is yet to be paid back Imtiaz had also provided Rs 80,000 to help PHF meet the expenses during 2006-07, but the federation is yet to pay the money back, although it had been recorded in the audit book.
The amount was spent by Imtiaz on PHF expenditures after the assurance by the Karachi Camp Office that the money would be paid back once the details of the expenses would be received by Lahore-based PHF headquarters.
Imtiaz, who was removed on Feb 10, 2009, had already sued Asif, seeking Rs 34.68million in damages for what he claims was illegal sacking. The case is pending against Asif in Sindh High Court.
The ex-PHF employee said Asif had been pressuring him to quit protesting and withdraw the court against against him if he wanted to receive his money back.
Imtiaz said although PHF had spent billions of rupees in one and half year, it was holding the amount without any valid reason.
“Even the sports minister Muhammad Ali Shah didn't hear me when he arrived as chief guest and said he can't talk to me as he doesn't know me. I ask for what these ministers have been elected if they are not ready to hear aggrieved people. I have been victimized only because the visa of Malik Ahtisham Zahid could not be secured for Germany when I was with PHF. He (Ahtisham) was not a journalist as mentioned in the officials PHF letter addressed to Germany consulate.
“He was some favourite or relative of Asif Bajwa. It was a case of human smuggling. His (Ahtisham) record should be retrieved from Nadra and FIA should hold an inquiry into this matter. I am sure if this is done, Asif will be behind the bars.
Through a letter on PHF letterhead dated Sept 17, 2008, Asif wrote to German consulate to seek visas for six persons including him for Hamburg Masters. Interestingly, apart from himself, wife and son, he claimed three individuals including Malik Ahtisham Zahid, as his children.
Study of all the documents in possession of Dawn.com shows they were either ambiguous or contradictory. The three persons were mentioned as children, journalists and PHF officials by Asif in different documents or communication which makes the matter mysterious and intriguing.
Imtiaz has now sought justice from Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry by writing a letter, mentioning details of his alleged illegal sacking and amount which PHF has to pay. The former PHF official has requested the chief justice to intervene, investigate and ask PHF officials the reason for this injustice.
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