KARACHI: Labour unions and families of the victims of the Baldia Town factory fire have renewed their call for a comprehensive investigation into the 2012 tragedy, arguing that a recent Supreme Court ruling validates their long-standing claims regarding institutional and corporate accountability.
The demand was issued during a press conference at the Karachi Press Club on Sunday, led by National Trade Union Federation Pakistan General Secretary Nasir Mansoor and Pakistan Workers Federation Senior Vice President Zehra Khan. They were joined by relatives of the more than 250 people who perished in the blaze.
A Verdict That Raises Questions
The push for a fresh probe comes in the wake of the Supreme Court’s June 10 decision to acquit Abdul Rehman, alias Bhola, and Zubair, alias Chariya. The apex court overturned the death sentences previously handed down by a trial court and upheld by the Sindh High Court. A three-member bench headed by Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan ruled that the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt, granting the accused the benefit of the doubt.
Union leaders argued that the acquittal reinforces their belief that the original case was deliberately diverted. “The case was steered away from its original direction to protect the real perpetrators,” the speakers stated. They insisted that the verdict strengthens the perception that no one has been truly held accountable for one of Pakistan’s worst industrial.
Unfulfilled Promises and Diverted Justice
The fire, which broke out on September , 2012, engulfed a garment factory in Karachi’s Baldia Town, killing 259 workers and injuring scores more. The initial allegations included arson and extortion. However, labour representatives maintain that the responsibility extends far beyond the two acquitted men.
They are demanding that the case be revisited to scrutinize the role of factory owners and government institutions allegedly involved. The speakers expressed deep frustration that many commitments made to the victims, including compensation promises, remain unfulfilled more than a decade after the incident.
- Unions claim the investigation was manipulated to shield powerful interests.
- Victims’ families say financial compensation pledged by authorities has not materialized.
- The Supreme Court ruling is being cited as proof that the initial prosecution strategy was flawed.
The labour leaders concluded that without a new, transparent investigation, the quest for justice for the hundreds of workers who died will remain incomplete.
