UAE hands over Baldia factory fire accused Hammad Siddiqui to Pakistan: sources

DUBAI/KARACHI: The UAE authorities on Friday handed over Baldia Factory Fire prime accused Hammad Siddiqui to Pakistani officials, ARY News reported.

Siddiqui, arrested by UAE authorities in October this year, had been working as the in-charge of Karachi Tanzeemi Committee (KTC) of MQM, however his party membership was suspended in 2013 for violating discipline, following which Siddiqui moved to UAE.

According to sources, Siddiqui has been deported to Pakistan after mutual intelligence coordination between officials of the two countries.

The former MQM in-charge is currently in the custody of intelligence agencies, sources said.

Siddiqui has a number of cases registered against him including the high profile Baldia Factory Fire case and Imran Farooq murder case.

The prime suspect in Imran Farooq murder case, Moazzam Ali, had earlier told the investigation team that he arranged London visas for two alleged hitmen in Imran Farooq murder case – Mohsin and Kashif – upon directives of Hammad Siddiqui.

In 2016, an anti-terrorism court issued non-bailable arrest warrants for accused Hammad Siddiqui in Baldia Factory Fire case.

Baldia factory fire

Nearly 250 people burnt to death after a horrific blaze erupted in the factory in September 2012. The government formed a JIT to thoroughly investigate the incident, which had later made startling revelations.

“The fire that had engulfed the factory was an outcome of a pre-planned scheme and that it was no accident,” revealed the JIT report. “The factory was set ablaze over non-payment of Bhatta – protection money.”

Sources said the JIT report stated that MQM sector in-charge Rehman alias Bhola and Hammad Siddiqui had demanded Rs 200 million extortion from owners of the factory.