A trial court in the country's economic hub on Friday acquitted Senate Chairman Yusuf Raza Gilani and other accused in all the cases filed during the PML-N's rule in 2013 in connection with a Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) scandal.
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had filed a total of 26 cases against Gilani — who served as the country's prime minister between 2008 and 2012 — for allegedly taking Rs5 million in subsidies illegally under a TDAP programme. Gilani had been facing the cases for the last 12 years.
The Federal Anti-Corruption Court in Karachi acquitted the PPP leader in three TDAP cases on March 8, 2025 and nine TDAP cases last week on July 11. The judge announced his verdict to acquit Gilani and others in the remaining 14 cases on Friday.
During the proceedings, attended by the Senate chairman, the presiding judge noted that he had reviewed each case separately, heard all parties thoroughly, and made the decisions to acquit the accused based on files received from the high court.
Talking to the media after the hearing, Gilani's counsel Farooq H Naek said all these cases were based on complaints by a specific individual. He said earlier Gilani was also declared an absconder even after securing bail in 10 cases.
Naek said the court now had delivered full justice by rejecting all allegations and acquitting Gilani. He thanked the judge and called the decision a major legal victory against false accusations.
Speaking on the occasion, Yusuf Raza Gilani stated that the allegations were politically motivated and false, but he was thankful to God for being completely acquitted of all cases.
He appreciated the legal expertise of his lawyer Farooq H Naek, and emphasized the urgent need for legislation to ensure pending cases are resolved and not left hanging indefinitely.
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