Charges not be framed in 14 cases of TDAP scam

KARACHI: Charges could not be framed once again in 14 cases relating to the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) scam against former premier Yousaf Raza Gilani, former federal minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim and others due to the absence of some of the accused.
The Federal Anti-Corruption Court (FACC) ultimately adjourned the hearing until October 22.
Advocate Mehar Khan, representing Mehar Haroon Rasheed Raisaani, told the court that his client
(Mehar Haroon Rasheed) had been allegedly kidnapped by people of some “sensitive organization”, and he knew nothing about where his client was being detained. He further said that at this juncture he was making preparations to file a habeas corpus petition in the Sindh High Court for recovery of his client, Haroon Rasheed Raisaani.
On the other hand, the counsel for a co-accused in this scam, Mian Tariq, said that his client had been on his way to the courtroom, but when he suddenly noticed some personnel of the Federal Investigation Authority (FIA), he preferred to move away from the premises of the court building. Upon this situation the counsel for Mian Tariq moved an application praying the court to withdraw warrants against Mian Tariq and assured the court that Mian Tariq would certainly appear at the next hearing.
The court was also told that the accused had not yet been provided copies of statements of the witnesses.
On the issue of non-provision of copies of the statements of the witnesses, the court explained that it could not be done due to the non-appearance of Yousuf Raza Gilani, Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Mian Muhammad Tariq, Mehar Haroon Rasheed Raisaani, Muhammad Zubair and Tariq Iqbalpuri.
Yousuf Raza Gilani and Amin Fahim had earlier been exempted from appearance, but later when they constantly failed to appear in the court, the court had to issue non-bailable warrants against the two leaders.
Gilani finally appeared and obtained interim bail, but Amin Fahim could not because he is abroad for medical treatment.
More than 72 cases have been filed in the TDAP corruption scam. In 25 such cases, Gilani and Fahim have been nominated as accused. Gilani has obtained protective bail in almost all the 25 cases.
The FIA has lodged around 72 cases of corruption, but Gilani and Fahim are being tried along with other accused in some 25 cases.
The PPP leaders, former and serving officials of the TDAP and some private individuals have been accused of approving and disbursing fraudulent trade subsidies worth millions of rupees to several fake companies through fictitious claims and backdated cheques.