ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s Supreme Court has acquitted Abdul Rehman alias Bhola and Zubair alias Chariya in the Baldia Town factory fire case. The court overturned death sentences that were imposed by the trial court and upheld by the Sindh High Court.
Supreme Court Delivers Final Verdict
A three-member bench, headed by Justice Shahzad Malik, announced the verdict on Thursday. The decision sets aside the convictions against both men in one of Pakistan’s deadliest industrial disasters.
The acquittal marks the conclusion of judicial proceedings that spanned more than a decade through Pakistan’s court system.
The 2012 Baldia Town Factory Fire Tragedy
The 2012 fire at a garment factory in Karachi’s Baldia Town killed more than 250 workers. This tragedy ranks among the worst factory fires in global history.
The industrial disaster shocked Pakistan and drew international attention to workplace safety standards. The case has remained one of the most significant criminal proceedings in the country’s judicial history.
Legal Journey Through Pakistani Courts
The Baldia Town factory fire case followed a lengthy path through Pakistan’s judicial system:
- Trial court initially convicted both accused and imposed death sentences
- Sindh High Court upheld the convictions on appeal
- Supreme Court reviewed the case and ordered acquittal
The Supreme Court’s decision represents a significant reversal in this long-running legal battle. This verdict concludes over ten years of judicial proceedings related to the industrial disaster.
