Labour unions and families of victims of the Baldia Town factory fire have demanded a fresh investigation into one of Pakistan’s deadliest industrial tragedies, stating that recent Supreme Court observations have strengthened their concerns regarding accountability.
During a joint press conference at the Karachi Press Club, representatives from the National Trade Union Federation Pakistan and the Pakistan Workers Federation called for a detailed review of the case. They were joined by affected families who continue to seek justice more than a decade after the incident.
Union leaders said the recent Supreme Court decision had increased their belief that responsibility should also be examined against factory owners and government institutions. They referred to the June 10 verdict, in which the top court acquitted Abdul Rehman alias Bhola and Zubair alias Chariya in the Baldia factory fire case.
A three-member Supreme Court bench allowed the appeals, stating that the prosecution failed to prove the allegations beyond reasonable doubt. The court ruled that the accused were entitled to the benefit of doubt due to weaknesses in the evidence presented during the trial.
The Baldia Town factory fire occurred on September 11, 2012, when a massive blaze swept through a garment factory in Karachi, resulting in the deaths of 259 workers and injuries to many others. The tragedy remains among the worst industrial disasters in Pakistan’s history.
Labour representatives claimed that the case was moved away from its original direction and that the real individuals responsible had not been held accountable. They said the acquittal of key accused persons had created concerns among victims’ families that justice had not been fully delivered.
The unions demanded that authorities reopen the investigation and examine the role of all individuals and institutions allegedly connected to the incident. They also highlighted that several promises made to victims, including compensation and support, remain incomplete despite the passage of many years.
