Four years on, Baldia factory fire victims still searching for justice

At least 250 labourers lost their lives when the factory Ali Enterprises, located in city’s Baldia Town area, was allegedly set ablaze on this day four years ago.

However, the loved ones of the victims are still awaiting justice and the verdict in the case has not been announced.

A major development took place after 3 years in the case as the investigation report stated that the factory was set ablaze on the directives of a political party’s stakeholder.

The report also raised questions on the safety measures taken by the factory owners.

On 14th January 2015, Sindh High Court (SHC) had summoned the joint investigation report of the incident.

The probe report, presented to the high court, stated that the prime suspect in the case has been apprehended who confessed that the high level officials had demanded of Rs. 200 million from the factory owners.

The party’s official was stripped off his responsibilities after which the factory by the name of Ali Enterprises was set ablaze, resulting in the death of over 250 workers.

It was also stated that the suspect named Rizwan Qureshi was a sanitory worker in the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation and an activist of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).

The report also mentioned that a lawmaker had filed a case against the factory owners but they were released on bail.

It should be noted that former Deputy Convener MQM Anees Qaimkhani is already under custody in the factory fire case.

Qaimkhani had separated himself from MQM after joining Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) on 3rd March, 2016.