The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Wednesday issued a key ruling in the Baldia Town factory fire case verdict, acquitting the two main convicts who had been sentenced to death over the 2012 Karachi industrial tragedy.
A three-member bench headed by Justice Shahzad Malik accepted the appeals of Abdul Rehman alias Bhola and Zubair alias Chariya. The court set aside their death sentences that had earlier been upheld by both the trial court and the Sindh High Court.
The court ruled that both men were entitled to the benefit of the doubt. The detailed written judgment will be issued later.
During the proceedings, the bench also dismissed petitions seeking to include victims’ families as parties in the case. The court observed that adding more parties at this stage would complicate the legal process and cause unnecessary delays.
In a separate matter, the bench disposed of an MQM application seeking removal of certain remarks from an earlier judgment. The court ruled that since the main verdict had been overturned, those remarks no longer held effect.
The judges also examined earlier findings related to the case, including observations about alleged political control in Karachi that was said to have influenced witness testimonies. The bench questioned several aspects of those conclusions.
The court further noted a difference in evidence, pointing out that a confessional statement existed for one accused but not for the other. It also raised concerns about why acquittals of other linked suspects were not challenged.
The Baldia Town fire, which broke out on September 11, 2012, remains one of Pakistan’s deadliest industrial disasters. More than 250 workers lost their lives when a garments factory caught fire in Karachi’s Baldia Town area. Many victims were trapped inside due to locked exits and barred windows, leading to deaths caused by suffocation and burns.
While early investigations suggested an electrical short circuit, later reports by a Joint Investigation Team and Rangers claimed the fire was deliberately set in connection with an extortion dispute. The case was later treated as a terrorist act.
The incident triggered a long legal battle spanning years, with multiple trials, convictions, and appeals. Wednesday’s ruling effectively closes proceedings for the two main accused, though it is likely to renew public debate over justice and accountability in the tragedy.
The Baldia Town fire continues to be remembered as a turning point in Pakistan’s industrial safety history, exposing serious gaps in workplace regulations and labour protection.
