KARACHI: Citing a lack of evidence, an anti-corruption court on Thursday acquitted Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani in nine more cases related to a multibillion-rupee trade subsidy scandal.

The former prime minister, along with former and serving officials of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), including ex-chairman Tariq Iqbal Puri and former director general Abdul Karim Daudpota, was accused of fraudulently approving and disbursing trade subsidies worth billions to fake companies through fictitious claims and backdated cheques under the Pakistan Peoples Party government at the Centre.

In 2018, charges were framed against Mr Gilani, Mr Puri, Mr Daudpota, former deputy secretary (personal) to the PM, Mohammad Zubair and around 20 others.

However, after hearing arguments from both sides, on applications filed under Section 265-K through defence counsel Farooq H. Naek for acquittal, the special federal anti-corruption court acquitted Mr Gilani in nine more cases on Thursday.

Another 14 cases pending against the former premier

Despite the acquittal, 14 more cases with similar allegations remain pending, one of his defence counsel told Dawn.

Speaking to reporters outside the courtroom, Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gillani categorically denied rumours suggesting that President Asif Ali Zardari was being removed from office or planning to resign, terming such reports as “disinformation”.

Commenting on the PPP’s political strategy, including the possible induction of new leaders in Punjab or joining the government, Mr Gilani said that any such decision would be made by the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC). He added that the CEC had earlier decided not to become part of the government.

Responding to a question about the recent hike in sugar prices, Mr Gilani reiterated that the PPP was not part of the government. “We are not part of the government, and I am not its spokesperson,” he said.

Defence counsel Mr Naek stated that earlier the court had already acquitted Mr Gilani in three cases, while today (Thursday) the court acquitted him in nine more cases against applications filed under Section 265-K.

He added that 26 cases were registered in 2013-14, all of which involved similar nature of allegations. “No witness has claimed that Mr Gilani received any money personally,” he said.

In the remaining 14 cases, he added, the FIA has filed appeals and the case records are currently in the high court.

He urged the high court to expedite its decision on the pending appeals or return the case records to the Federal Anti-Corruption Department.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had charge-sheeted Mr Gilani in 26 out of over 70 cases related to the trade subsidy scandal in 2014.

According to the FIA’s final investigation report, the Ministry of Commerce had announced a 25 per cent freight subsidy under its 2002-03 trade policy to promote the export of non-traditional items, which brought less than $5m annually.

The FIA report also found that of the 48 companies that received subsidies, 22 did not exist, while the remaining were ineligible for government support.

Published in Dawn, July 11th, 2025