MULTAN: Former Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said that he would not appear before the anti-corruption court in Karachi in the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) cases today (Monday) due to the murder of a former secretary general of the Karachi District Bar Association.

Talking to Dawn, Mr Gilani said he had consulted his counsel, Farooq H Naek, over the issue who suggested that he (Gilani) should not appear before the court as the lawyers had announced boycotting the courts` proceedings in protest against the killing.

He said some new cases had been lodged against him and Makhdoom Amin Fahim in connection with the TDAP issue and non-bailable warrants had been issued in these cases.

He condemned the killing of former secretary district bar Karachi and offered condolences to the bereaved family.