• Party calls for accountability of officials if JIT reports are flawed; demands fresh investigation
• Urges federal, Sindh govts to fulfil promises of jobs, residential plots to heirs of over 250 victims

KARACHI: The opposition Jamaat-i-Islami on Monday called for a fresh investigation into the Baldia Town factory fire, questioned the credibility of previous joint investigation team (JIT) reports and demanded accountability for those who prepared them if they were found to be flawed by the Supreme Court.

Last week, the apex court had overturned the convictions of two Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) workers — Abdul Rehman alias Bhola and Zubair alias Chariya — for their alleged involvement in the deadly 2012 Baldia factory fire.

Against this backdrop, the JI urged authorities to determine who started the blaze, the motive behind it and who allegedly obstructed rescue and firefighting efforts after the fire broke out at the factory.

Addressing a press conference alongside the families of the victims of the devastating 2012 incident, Leader of the Opposition in the City Council and JI leader Advocate Saifuddin said that despite the SC’s verdict in the Baldia factory fire case, the families of the 259 workers who lost their lives in the 2012 tragedy are still waiting for justice.

He said the SC had acquitted the accused on “technical grounds” but had failed to provide a path towards justice for the bereaved families.

“Many important aspects appear to have been overlooked in the short order, he said, adding that the detailed judgment should be released without delay.

He also questioned the rejection of an application filed by the victims’ heirs seeking to become parties to the case, saying the reasons for its dismissal were not acceptable.

He said serious questions have emerged over the criminal justice system. The same allegations, evidence, JIT reports and confessional statements on the basis of which the trial court and later the Sindh High Court awarded death sentences were ultimately not upheld, he added.

“If the JIT reports were flawed, those responsible for preparing them should also be held accountable,” said Saifuddin Advocate.

“There must be a fresh probe into the incident to determine who started the fire, why it was started and who allegedly prevented rescue and firefighting efforts after the blaze erupted.

“We demand that authorities reopen investigations into allegations that Rs250 million have been demanded as extortion. The statements recorded by the factory owners from Dubai are available regarding the matter”, he added.

The JI leader said the victims and their families were the principal stakeholders in the case and could not be ignored. He maintained that no innocent person should be punished, but those responsible for the deaths of 259 workers must be identified and brought to justice.

He called on the federal and provincial governments to fulfil commitments previously made to the victims’ families, including promises of jobs and residential plots. He also demanded the immediate distribution of the $5.15m compensation fund provided by German retailer KiK to the victims’ families, questioning the utilisation of $250,000 and seeking transparency regarding its expenditure.

Criticising the role of institutions involved in administering the compensation scheme, he alleged that affected families were receiving only small payments while the principal amount remained undistributed.

He also demanded the restoration of Employees’ Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) pensions for eligible family members.

Published in Dawn, June 16th, 2026