The Anti-Corruption Court in Karachi has acquitted Senate Chairman and former Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. All other accused individuals in the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) corruption cases were also cleared.
The verdict was announced after years of investigation and trial. The court in Karachi also separated the cases of suspects who are still absconding. These individuals will face trial once they are arrested or appear in court.
Gilani had already been acquitted in 12 earlier cases related to TDAP. In this case, he was accused of accepting a bribe of 5 million rupees. The payment was allegedly made through an accused person named Zubair. However, the court found no direct evidence proving Gilani received the money or benefited from it.
The TDAP corruption cases date back to 2009. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) filed 26 different cases during 2013 and 2014. These cases involved claims of fraud and misuse of export freight subsidies. Fake companies were reportedly used to steal billions of rupees meant to support Pakistani exporters.
Karachi became the main location for these trials, as most of the accused and offices involved were based there. After a long legal process, the court found insufficient evidence against Gilani and the others acquitted.
Speaking outside the court, Gilani said the 12-year delay in justice was unfair. He noted that some FIA officials were students when the cases first began.
The FIA has already appealed several pending cases to the High Court. If the appeals are not resolved soon, Gilani’s legal team may request to return the cases to the Anti-Corruption Court.
The verdict marks a major development in one of Karachi’s most high-profile corruption investigations.
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