Chairman Senate Yusuf Raza Gilani has been acquitted of 14 corruption cases linked to the TDAP by the federal anti-corruption court in a recent ruling.
The court stated that there was no evidence of funds deposited into Gilani’s accounts, and a key witness who was supposed to testify was instead made an accused. Additionally, the late Makhdoom Amin Fahim was also declared innocent.
The court, sitting in Karachi, further acquitted Gilani and other defendants from all remaining charges in the mega corruption case, asserting that prolonging cases for 14 years is unjust.
It highlighted the lack of substantial evidence against most individuals named in the cases, noting that many were willing to return the funds in question. Commenting on the FIA’s performance, the court suggested that a different prosecutor might have handled the cases more effectively.
Gilani had previously been acquitted in 12 cases, with a total of 26 allegations against him regarding the alleged misuse of seven billion rupees through bogus companies for freight subsidies. The court remarked that since no money had been found in the defendant’s accounts, it was time to resolve these long-standing cases.
During the hearing, Advocate Farooq H. Naik emphasized that the prosecution had failed to advance the cases over the years, prompting the request for acquittal.
The court announced decisions on 27 cases and indicated that the matters concerning absconding defendants would be treated separately, expressing a desire to move forward with justice.
After the verdict, Gilani spoke to the media, praising Naik for his defense and asserting that he had been wrongfully accused. He declined to elaborate further, stating they would pray for those who initiated the cases against him.
Naik also remarked on the court’s delivery of justice, noting that 26 cases had been filed against Gilani over two years.
He referenced Benazir Bhutto’s call for the abolition of special courts, emphasizing the need for legal reforms to ensure effective case prosecution.
