Relatives of fire victims gather outside the Ali Enterprises garment factory in Karachi. -AFP File Photo

KARACHI: A case filed against the owners of fire-struck garment factory in Baldia Town Karachi has been withdrawn on the prime minister’s discretion, said State Minister for Finance Salim Mandviwalla, DawnNews reported on Wednesday.

Four months after the worst ever industrial disaster in the history of Pakistan, in which more than 250 perished, the case against Shahid Bhaila and Rashid Bhaila of the Ali Enterprises was withdrawn on PM Raja Pervez Ashraf’s directives, fulfilling his promise he made with office-bearers of Karachi Chamber of Commerce (KCCI).

Meanwhile, Governor Sindh Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan, over a telephone call, conveyed his reservations on the issue to President Asif Ali Zardari.

The governor said that withdrawal of the case would be tantamount to injustice to the aggrieved families of the victims.

Upon which, the president ordered Salim Mandviwalla to review progress in the case and discuss compensation matters with heirs of the victims.

President Zardari also ordered him to meet Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and the governor in this regard.

Opinion

Editorial

Punishing evaders
02 May, 2024

Punishing evaders

THE FBR’s decision to block mobile phone connections of more than half a million individuals who did not file...
Engaging Riyadh
Updated 02 May, 2024

Engaging Riyadh

It must be stressed that to pull in maximum foreign investment, a climate of domestic political stability is crucial.
Freedom to question
02 May, 2024

Freedom to question

WITH frequently suspended freedoms, increasing violence and few to speak out for the oppressed, it is unlikely that...
Wheat protests
Updated 01 May, 2024

Wheat protests

The government should withdraw from the wheat trade gradually, replacing the existing market support mechanism with an effective new one over the next several years.
Polio drive
01 May, 2024

Polio drive

THE year’s fourth polio drive has kicked off across Pakistan, with the aim to immunise more than 24m children ...
Workers’ struggle
Updated 01 May, 2024

Workers’ struggle

Yet the struggle to secure a living wage — and decent working conditions — for the toiling masses must continue.