Karachi – The Federal Anti-Corruption Court in Karachi has acquitted Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani in three corruption cases related to the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TIDAP) scam, citing a lack of evidence.
Gilani, a former Prime Minister of Pakistan, appeared in court, where his acquittal plea was accepted. The charges accused him of causing a Rs6 billion loss to the national treasury through freight subsidies.
The court had previously reserved its verdict on the cases before announcing the decision on Friday. Speaking to the media afterward, Gilani dismissed the charges as politically motivated, calling his acquittal a “victory of truth.”
“The person who testified against me is now an accused himself,” Gilani remarked, suggesting the case was fabricated for political reasons.
Additionally, he criticized the government’s refusal to implement his production order for detained PTI Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, calling it a violation of parliamentary rights. He reaffirmed his stance of boycotting Senate sessions until his order is enforced.
Gilani had earlier abstained from presiding over Senate sessions, despite being present in his chamber, in protest over the issue.
The case’s dismissal marks a significant legal victory for the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader, who has long maintained that the corruption charges were baseless.
