Labour unions and families affected by the Baldia Town factory fire have called for a renewed investigation into the case, emphasizing that recent Supreme Court rulings support their longstanding demands for responsibility and justice. The National Trade Union Federation Pakistan’s General Secretary Nasir Mansoor and Pakistan Workers Federation Senior Vice President Zehra Khan voiced these demands during a joint press conference held at the Karachi Press Club alongside victims’ relatives.
They highlighted that the Supreme Court’s June 10 verdict, which overturned the death sentences of Abdul Rehman alias Bhola and Zubair alias Chariya, reinforced their belief that both factory owners and government bodies bear responsibility for the disaster. The top court acquitted the two accused, ruling that the prosecution had not proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt. A three-member bench led by Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan granted the appeals, stating that the accused deserved the benefit of the doubt given the evidence and legal complexities involved.
The Baldia Town factory fire, one of the deadliest industrial catastrophes in Pakistan, occurred on September 11, 2012, when a garment factory in Karachi was engulfed in flames, resulting in 259 deaths and numerous injuries. The accused had faced charges of arson and extortion related to the incident.
Meanwhile, the speakers criticized the handling of the case, suggesting it had been diverted from its original course to shield the true culprits. They expressed concern that the acquittal of key accused individuals has fostered a perception of impunity, with no one held accountable for one of the country’s worst industrial tragedies.
They urged authorities to revisit the case to ensure full accountability of all parties involved, including factory owners and relevant institutions. Additionally, they lamented that many promises made to victims, particularly regarding compensation, remain unfulfilled even years after the disaster.
