Federal Anti-Corruption Court in Karachi has acquitted Senate’s chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani in three cases in connection with the Trade Development Authority in Pakistan (TDAP) corruption scandal.
During the hearing, Gilani appeared in person personally. The judge informed him that a verdict was set aside in three cases against him, which he recognized the decision, expressed Express News on Friday.
The court asked Gilani what prison he would prefer – Karachi, Multan or Islamabad. Gilani replied that he had no fear of imprisonment. “Prison is nothing new to us. If you wish, you can even judge me to death,” Gilani said.
The court further noted that those who had testified against Gilani now faced legal charges themselves.
Together with Gilani, 40 other people were acquitted in the TDAP corruption case. Despite this acquittal, Gilani is still facing 23 other cases related to the TDAP corruption scandal.
Former Prime Minister Gilani, together with senior TDAP officials and others, had been accused of having approved and payment of these subsidies.
The case involved accusations of misuse of trade grants, where billions of rupiers were reportedly distributed to false companies through counterfeit claims and back -dated controls under the Pakistan Popper Party government (PPP).
