Yousuf Raza Gilani Acquitted in TDAP Scandal Cases

A special anti-corruption court on Friday exonerated Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani in all cases related to the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) scandal, involving billions of rupees.

The hearing took place at the Federal Anti-Corruption Court in Karachi. Gilani, who served as the nation’s prime minister from 2008 to 2012, was present.

Gilani, together with former TDAP chairman Tariq Iqbal Puri, ex-director general Abdul Karim Daudpota, and others, had been implicated in over two dozen cases. These cases alleged their involvement in the improper approval and disbursement of freight subsidies, amounting to billions of rupees, to various companies through fraudulent claims, violating established procedures.

In 2018, formal accusations were presented against Gilani, Daudpota, Farooq Awan Puri, Mohammad Zubair, and approximately 20 other individuals.

Following a review of arguments from all involved parties, the special federal anti-corruption court cleared Gilani in the remaining 14 pending TDAP cases on Friday.

The former prime minister had already been found not guilty in 12 similar cases previously.