Senate Chairman and Former PM Gilani Acquitted in Nine More TDAP Corruption Cases
Senate Chairman and former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has been acquitted in nine additional cases linked to the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) mega corruption scandal, following a verdict issued by the federal anti-corruption court in Karachi. Gilani appeared in court alongside other co-accused as the judge announced the decision in his favor.
With this latest ruling, Gilani has now been cleared in a total of 12 out of 26 cases registered by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in connection with the multi-billion-rupee scandal. He had previously been acquitted in three cases, and proceedings in the remaining ones are still ongoing.
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The TDAP corruption scandal dates back to investigations initiated in 2009, with formal cases registered by the FIA beginning in 2013. Gilani was officially named as an accused in the final charge sheet filed in 2015. The charges centered around allegations that the accused created fake export companies and fraudulently claimed freight subsidies, collectively embezzling over Rs 7 billion.
Addressing the media outside the court, Gilani described the long-standing allegations as baseless and criticized the prolonged legal battle, saying, “Justice delayed is justice denied. These cases have been ongoing for 12 years.” He pointed out the lengthy duration of the proceedings by noting that one of the current prosecutors was still a student when the case began.
Gilani also addressed political speculation surrounding President Asif Ali Zardari, calling the health and leadership rumors unfounded. Regarding the Pakistan Peoples Party’s political stance in Punjab, he reiterated that the Central Executive Committee had decided not to join the provincial government and said any change in that position would also be determined by the CEC. “We are not part of the government, and I am not its spokesperson,” he clarified.
Highlighting his political legacy, Gilani said, “I am the longest-serving Prime Minister, elected unanimously, and later elected unopposed as Senate Chairman.”
His legal counsel, Farooq H. Naek, said the bulk of the 26 cases were filed between 2013 and 2014 and involved nearly identical allegations. According to Naek, Gilani was accused of receiving Rs 5 million indirectly through a man named Zubair, but no witness ever testified that Gilani personally received the funds. “He had already been acquitted in three cases earlier, and now the court has accepted our request for acquittal in nine more,” Naek said.
He also revealed that the FIA has filed appeals against the acquittals in 14 of the remaining cases. Those appeal records are currently with the High Court. “There can be no testimony in these 14 cases as the witnesses never appear, although the accused do. The High Court must either expedite a decision or return the files to the Anti-Corruption Court,” he added.
The verdict marks another significant legal victory for Gilani as he continues to contest the remaining cases while maintaining his innocence throughout the prolonged legal saga.
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