KARACHI: Sindh High Court (SHC) on Wednesday issued notices to the provincial government, municipal commissioner and other parties to the case to submit their reports, pertaining to Karachi factory fire which killed at least 258 people, within 10 days, DawnNews reported.
A division bench, headed by Chief Justice Mushir Alam, repeated notice after none of the government departments filed their responses Court’s orders.
Pakistan Institute of Labor Education and Research (PILER), Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) and other non- government organizations had moved court to seek judicial probe into Karachi factory inferno on September 11, 2012.Petitioners had sought constitution of a judicial commission to fix responsibility for incident and suggest monetary compensation to legal heirs of inferno victims.
The petitioner demanded that Federal Ministry of National Regulations & Service, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Provincial Chief, Labor, Health & Home Secretaries, IG Sindh Police, Director Generals of National, Provincial Disaster Management Authorities, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation & Sindh Building Control Authority as respondents.
On Wednesday, Karachi Metropolitan Corporations Law Officer Tahawwur Ali Khan undertook to file detailed comments within seven days.
Advocate Khursheed Javed, appearing for Sindh Building Control Authority, also sought time to assist court whether affected building of Ali Enterprises garment factory fell within regulatory authority of SBCA or SITE.
Inspector General Police (IGP) Sindh submitted his reply to the court.
Sindh High Court Bar association filed a petition to become party to the case. The bar association pleaded that the laws pertaining to the fire department should be scrutinized and improved.
SHC division bench directed Additional Advocate General Meeran Muhammad Shah to file comments from all concerned and also submit comments of IGP Sindh in office.
Court also directed law officers appearing for KMC, SBCA to file comments within ten days. It also issued notice to SITE to file comments, in case the gutted factory building fell within its limits. Hearing was adjourned for ten days.
Meanwhile, six more people, who were killed in the factory fire, have been identified on Wednesday.