Gilani gets protective bail in eight cases

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday granted protective bail for seven days to former prime minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani for his alleged involvement in the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) scam.
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has registered 21 FIRs in the said case whereas Gilani has already obtained bails from a federal anti-corruption court of Karachi in 12 cases last week.
On Tuesday, Gilani obtained bails in eight cases while in another one he has filed an application that will be heard today (Wednesday).
During the hearing, Gilani’s counsel Farooq H Naek informed the court that there was another FIR pending against his client. The court said he needs to file a separate petition in this regard.
On August 28, a federal anti-corruption court of Karachi had issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Gilani, former federal minister for trade and commerce Makhdoom Amin Fahim and others.
Gilani’s counsel argued before the court that his client has no nexus with this case. He said Gilani was not a nominated accused in the FIR but his name was added in the challan later.
Naek further argued that his client wants to appear before the said federal court in Karachi but he apprehends that the FIA may pressurise him to make a statement against his own party colleagues. Naek further argued that the FIA had been pressurising one Muhammad Zubair to become an approver against Gilani.
The IHC bench granted protective bails to Gilani against Rs100,000 surety bond in eight cases. The IHC order says that the protective bail would expire after one week in case Gilani did not appear before the trial court.
A large number of PPP lawyers including Raja Shafqat Abbasi, Amir Fida Paracha, People Lawyers Forum president Raja Shakeel Abbasi accompanied Gilani in the court.
After court proceedings, Gilani while talking to the media said that the he was being politically victimised and he has faith in the judiciary and would defend the allegations in the courts.
Agencies add: Gilani said he was getting threats that more cases would be opened against him.
Blaming the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), he said that FIA is a part of the government and cannot act without the government’s orders.
“During my tenure as the prime minister, there was no political victimisation or political prisoners. Eighty-five percent of the Charter of Democracy was implemented during my time. But if the PML-N still wishes to implement the remaining parts of the CoD, we will support them,” he said.