KARACHI; The Federal Anti-Corruption Court has acquitted Senate Chairman and former Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gillani in the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TADAP) mega corruption scandal. The verdict was delivered in a hearing on Wednesday, where Gillani was cleared of charges in 14 remaining cases linked to the scandal.
In its ruling, the court observed that there was no evidence showing that any funds were deposited into Gillani’s personal accounts.
It also noted that the individual who had turned approver was later made an accused himself. Some case records remain on file, but no conclusive proof was found against Gillani.
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had originally filed 26 cases in connection with the TADAP corruption inquiry, which began in 2009.
The cases were formally registered between 2013 and 2014, although FIA investigations traced back to events from 2003. Gillani was named as an accused in the final challan submitted in 2015.
He had previously been acquitted in 12 cases, and with Wednesday’s decision, he now stands cleared in all 26 cases.
Speaking to the media after the verdict, Gillani’s counsel, Farooq H. Naek, said that all cases were based on a single allegation — that Gillani received Rs 5 million related to a subsidy scheme under TADAP.
He added that the cases were politically motivated, initiated at the request of one individual, and that Gillani was even declared an absconder while out on bail in 10 of the cases.
Naek praised the court’s decision, calling it a triumph of justice and demanding the dissolution of special courts, which he claimed are often misused for political victimization.
Yusuf Raza Gillani, while addressing journalists, reiterated that the cases against him were false and politically driven.
He expressed gratitude to the court and said, “I have been acquitted in all cases. Despite being an ally of those who once accused me, I stood by them. There should be legal reform—if a decision cannot be reached within a set time, the case should be dismissed.”
