Yusuf Raza Gilani Cleared of Corruption Charges in TDAP Cases

In a significant development, the federal anti-corruption court has announced the Yusuf Raza Gilani acquittal in 14 corruption cases linked to the TDAP. The court ruled that no evidence showed funds were ever deposited into Gilani’s accounts. It further noted that a key witness, once expected to testify, had been turned into an accused instead. The late Makhdoom Amin Fahim was also cleared of all allegations.

The court in Karachi dismissed all remaining charges against Gilani and other defendants in the long-running corruption saga. It stressed that dragging such cases for 14 years was an injustice. Judges highlighted that there was little substantial evidence against many of the accused, with several even offering to return the disputed funds.

Commenting on the FIA’s work, the court hinted that the prosecution might have been handled more effectively by a different lawyer. Gilani had already been cleared in 12 similar cases. Altogether, he faced 26 allegations, all tied to the alleged misuse of seven billion rupees through fake companies for freight subsidies.

The court pointed out that since no money was ever found in Gilani’s accounts, it was time to close these drawn-out cases. During the hearing, Advocate Farooq H. Naik argued that the prosecution had failed to push the cases forward for years, which justified the request for acquittal. The court delivered verdicts on 27 cases, adding that proceedings against absconding suspects would be handled separately.

Speaking to reporters after the ruling, Gilani praised Naik’s efforts and insisted he had been falsely accused. He declined to comment further, saying only that they would pray for those who brought the cases against him. Naik, addressing the media, underscored that 26 cases had been filed against Gilani within two years. He also cited Benazir Bhutto’s call to abolish special courts and pressed for reforms to improve legal prosecution.

Investigations into the TDAP corruption cases started in 2009. The FIA registered the cases in 2013, and Gilani was formally named as an accused in 2015.

According to the source: Khyber News.