- Judge says no charges proven against Gilani.
- Senate Chairman Gilani says not afraid of jail.
- 40 other accused also acquitted by court.
KARACHI: The Federal Anti-Corruption Court has acquitted Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani in three cases related to the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) corruption scandal.
The hearing took place at the Federal Anti-Corruption Court in Karachi, where Gilani appeared before the judge in person.
During the proceedings, the judge addressed Gilani, saying that a verdict had been reached in three cases against him. Gilani responded affirmatively, acknowledging the decision.
At one point, the court asked Gilani which prison he would prefer —Karachi, Multan, or Islamabad. In response, the Senate chairman said that he had no fear of jail, adding: “Prison is nothing new for us. If you wish, you may even sentence me to death.” His remarks prompted a smile from the presiding judge.
The court further inquired why he did not prefer house arrest, to which Gilani replied that his ancestral home was in Multan, his family resided in Lahore, and his Senate office was in Islamabad.
When the judge pointed out that the trial was being conducted in Karachi, Gilani remarked: “Then people will say my party has a government in Sindh.”
Announcing the verdict, the court declared that no charges against Gilani had been proven, granting him an honourable acquittal.
The judge further noted that those who had testified against him were now facing charges themselves.
Following the completion of the trial in three cases, the court acquitted Gilani and 40 other accused individuals from the TDAP corruption case.
Former prime minister Gilani, along with several senior officials of the TDAP and others, faced charges over their alleged role in sanctioning and distributing fraudulent trade subsidies.
The case involved the disbursement of billions of rupees to bogus companies through falsified claims and backdated cheques during the tenure of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government.