ISLAMABAD:  Abdul Qadir Gilani, the son of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, appeared before a team of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) regarding the Haj corruption case on Monday, DawnNews reported.

“I did not receive an FIA questionnaire. I believe in the rule of law and have come before the FIA as an ordinary citizen,” Abdul Qadir Gilani told media representatives after meeting FIA investigators.

“I have been accused by a PML-N MPA of smuggling a bullet proof vehicle. If this is proven to be true then I will accept the punishment,” he said.

On February 14, the Federal Investigation Agency had issued a notice to Abdul Qadir Gilani, asking him to record his statement before an FIA team investigating the Haj scam.

After the issuance of the notice, the head of the investigation team and FIA Director, Hussain Asghar, were removed from the panel.

Sources in FIA said that Abdul Qadir Gilani had been asked to record his statement in the Haj scandal, but he failed to appear, resulting in the issuance of his summons.

In accordance with directives of the Supreme Court, the FIA had called Abdul Qadir Gilani to ascertain from where he had got money for his bullet-proof jeep. The vehicle has been reportedly imported from Dubai recently. Its price is said to be more than Rs15 million.

The sources said that Mr Qadir Gilani had earlier been asked by the FIA to appear before the investigator on February 14, but he did not turn up. Therefore, a summon was issued, formally asking him to appear and clear his position.

Dawn learnt that Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani took exception to the FIA move, leading to dropping of the FIA director from the inquiry team.