KARACHI: Former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday appeared in the Federal Anti-Corruption Court in the fraud cases pertaining to Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP).
A large number of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) supporters were present outside the Anti-Corruption Court and were chanting slogans to show solidarity with their party and the leader.
It may be mentioned here that the provincial government of the PPP had imposed Section 144 across the province that prohibits the crowds to hold rallies.
Also, the court had earlier issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Gilani and former minister for commerce Makhdoom Amin Fahim after Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) declared both PPP leaders fugitive in seven TDAP cases.
The cases are related to the approval and disbursement of fraudulent trade subsidies by Gilani, Fahim and officials of the TDAP.
Gilani and Fahim had been accused of involvement in Rs7 billion financial scam in TDAP. Muhammad Firdous, the key accused, turned approver against the former prime minister and former federal minister.
The court had previously issued three notices to Gilani and Fahim, requiring them to appear before it. The notices were ignored after which bailable arrest warrants were issued against both the leaders. On Thursday, however, the court issued non-bailable arrest warrants and adjourned the hearing till June 17.