{
  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "bskyPostRef": {
    "cid": "bafyreif4j22ywqhr4ow5oqoh57xubdji7c3hegwu3n5aiuvx2fdzbl4d6e",
    "uri": "at://did:plc:jpckpkvpjawehyqenhblotzo/app.bsky.feed.post/3mnwm22ximhf2"
  },
  "coverImage": {
    "$type": "blob",
    "ref": {
      "$link": "bafkreid4k527fzjggicuntkl53owmdrtgq2gi7h6rujwj4cmhhyshusa3u"
    },
    "mimeType": "image/jpeg",
    "size": 44339
  },
  "path": "/latest/baldia-town-fire-case-sc-acquits-two-overturns-death-sentences/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-06-10T10:35:39.000Z",
  "site": "https://humenglish.com",
  "tags": [
    "Latest",
    "Pakistan",
    "Baldia Town fire case: SC acquits two, overturns death sentences",
    "HUM News English"
  ],
  "textContent": "The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Wednesday acquitted two convicts in the Baldia Town factory fire case, overturning the death sentences previously awarded by the trial court and upheld by the Sindh High Court.\n\nA three-member bench headed by Justice Shahzad Malik accepted the appeals of Abdul Rehman, alias Bhola, and Zubair, alias Chariya, and ordered their acquittal.\n\nThe court set aside the judgments of both the trial court and the Sindh High Court, effectively nullifying the death penalties handed down to the two men in connection with the 2012 Baldia Town factory fire tragedy. The bench also disposed of an appeal filed by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) seeking the removal of certain observations made in earlier judgments.\n\nThe court ruled that the request had become infructuous because the underlying judgment had already been set aside. “Once the judgment has been annulled, the remarks contained in it automatically cease to have effect,” the court observed.\n\nDuring proceedings, Justice Shahzad Malik observed that allowing a limited number of parties could lead to a flood of similar applications. “If a few are made parties, hundreds more may follow,” he remarked, adding that excessive parties would make hearings unmanageable.\n\n#### Questions over prosecution structure and evidence\n\nThe bench questioned aspects of the prosecution’s case, including reliance on political affiliation and alleged influence. Justice Malik referred to findings of the Sindh High Court that witnesses had remained silent due to influence in Karachi, but noted inconsistencies in individual statements, saying only one accused had given a confession while another had not.\n\nThe court also questioned arguments linking the case to political figures, including MQM leaders. Justice Malik asked why acquittals of senior figures had not been challenged if extortion was allegedly linked to party demands, adding that internal party changes such as sector in-charge replacements did not automatically constitute criminal conduct.\n\n#### Legal debate over intent and criminal liability\n\nJudges further examined whether prosecution had established criminal intent. Justice Shakeel Ahmad noted lack of evidence tying certain accused to party membership, while Justice Aqeel Abbasi observed that the case did not clearly establish intent to kill workers. The bench also questioned the absence of forensic evidence such as chemical traces and raised doubts about the prosecution’s theory regarding factory doors being locked.\n\n#### Pakistan’s deadliest industrial disaster\n\nThe Baldia Town factory fire remains one of Pakistan’s worst industrial tragedies. The blaze erupted at the Ali Enterprises garment factory in Karachi’s Baldia Town area on September 11, 2012, killing at least 264 workers and injuring around 60 others. Nearly 500 employees were believed to be inside the building when the fire broke out.\n\nThe inferno burned for approximately 15 hours, with rescue operations continuing well into the following day. Survivors and investigators later revealed that many workers were trapped inside due to locked exits, barred windows and inadequate emergency escape routes. Others suffered fatal injuries while attempting to jump from upper floors to escape the flames.\n\n#### From accident to arson investigation\n\nInitially treated as an industrial accident, the case took a dramatic turn when investigators concluded that the fire had been deliberately set. A joint investigation report described the incident as an act of organised terrorism linked to an extortion dispute.\n\nAccording to prosecutors, factory owners had allegedly been pressured to pay Rs200 million in protection money. Investigators later alleged that members of the MQM were involved in the extortion scheme and the subsequent arson attack after the demand was not met.\n\nA key witness statement and subsequent court proceedings led authorities to pursue criminal charges against several individuals accused of orchestrating or facilitating the attack.\n\n#### Convictions and controversy\n\nIn September 2020, an anti-terrorism court sentenced Abdul Rehman, alias Bhola, and Zubair, alias Chariya, to death after finding them guilty of setting the factory on fire. Four factory security guards were handed life sentences for their alleged involvement, while several others, including former provincial minister Rauf Siddiqui, were acquitted.\n\nThe MQM leadership repeatedly denied any involvement in the tragedy and rejected allegations linking the party to the fire.\n\nFamilies of victims welcomed parts of the verdict but argued that accountability remained incomplete, questioning why factory owners were not held criminally responsible for alleged safety failures that contributed to the high death toll.\n\nThe post Baldia Town fire case: SC acquits two, overturns death sentences appeared first on HUM News English.",
  "title": "Baldia Town fire case: SC acquits two, overturns death sentences"
}