As Gilani’s bail is extended, warrants issued for Amin Fahim

Two PPP leaders accused of illegally drawing billions of funds from public institutions

KARACHI: An anti-corruption court has extended the interim bail of former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani in cases pertaining to the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) scandal. It also issued non-bailable arrest warrants for ex-commerce minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim.

On Monday, the Federal Anti-Corruption Court-I adjourned till October 22 the hearing of 23 corruption cases when the investigating officer failed to appear in court. This was done soon after Gilani’s bail was extended.

Meanwhile, the court also issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Fahim, senior leader of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), who did not appear before the court. Amind Fahim is currently in London for medical treatment.

Learning about the adjournment without any proceedings, Gillani told media that he flew in from Multan and his attorney from the United States to Karachi for the hearing but the investigating officer still could not ensure his presence.

“We have been told that the investigating officer is busy with something, that’s why the hearing is adjourned,” he told reporters gathered outside the court. “This is a way of political victimisation.”

Gilani, Fahim and some others — including a number of bureaucrats who are facing charges — have been accused of causing a huge loss to the national exchequer — actual amount of which is yet to be ascertained.

According to investigators, the suspects illegally drew funds from the public institution in the name of fraudulent trade subsidies, fictitious claims and by other means.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 13^th, 2015.