TDAP scam hearing put off till September 29

Karachi

The Federal Anti-Corruption Court (FACC) on Thursday adjourned till September 29 the hearing in 26 corruption cases against former prime minister Yusuf Raza Gilani and others relating to the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) scam.

Gilani’s attorneys had moved an application on his behalf for exemption from attending Friday’s hearing, which was granted by the court. Other accused Javed Akbar, Tariq Iqbal Puri, Javed Anwar Khan were present in court along with a few more of the defendants.

The court was informed that another six cases were registered against Gilani and others pertaining to massive corruption.

In the TDAP scam against Gilani and others being heard by the FACC, the same court has accepted charge sheets in several cases with officials, on the whole, having filed charge sheets in 23 cases.

Gilani and some of other accused have already been granted bail by the trial court, but they have been duty bound to appear at every hearing.

It may be mentioned that at one stage, Gilani and nine other accused were declared absconders by the court that ordered their arrest and production in court. However, the accused later obtained interim bail from the trial court.

According to the prosecution, former PM Gilani, former TDAP director-general Abdul Karim Daudpota and some other senior officials were among many exporters and bank officials accused of embezzlement of more than Rs200 million in export development funds.