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SC Acquits MQM Activists in Baldia Factory Fire Case, Overturns Death Sentences
The bench cited legal and evidentiary flaws and rejected victim-heirs’ pleas to join the case.
- On Wednesday, The Supreme Court acquitted Muttahida Qaumi Movement workers Abdul Rehman alias Bhola and Zubair alias Chariya, overturning death sentences previously upheld by the Sindh High Court in the Baldia Town factory fire case.
- The 2012 Ali Enterprises garment factory blaze in Karachi killed over 260 workers, ranking as Pakistan's deadliest industrial disaster; an Anti-Terrorism Court had originally sentenced both men to death for murder, arson, extortion, and terrorism.
- Ruling the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt, a three-member bench headed by Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan granted the appeals. The court highlighted significant legal and evidentiary shortcomings in the charges.
- Defense counsel Farogh Naseem argued the accused were falsely implicated based on an inadmissible 2015 Joint Investigation Team report. He contended prosecution witnesses were concocted and lacked evidence for the alleged "Bhattaa" demand.
- The bench rejected applications to implead victims' heirs in the proceedings, citing potential delays. It also declared a petition filed by the MQM seeking expungement of judicial observations ineffective, given the original judgment was set aside.
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SC overturns convictions of two MQM workers in Karachi’s Baldia factory fire case
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Wednesday 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 in Karachi. Over 260 workers, including 16 who could not be identified, were burnt alive when the multi-storey Ali Enterprises garment factory was set on fire in Baldia Town on Sept 11, 2012, in what became the …
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Pakistan Live NewsSC acquits two death row convicts in Baldia Town factory fire case
SC overturns death sentences in factory fire conviction case.Bench rules prosecution fails to prove charges beyond doubt.Court rejects plea to include victims' heirs in proceedings.The Supreme Court on Wednesday acquitted Abdul...
Coverage Details
Total News Sources12
Leaning Left1Leaning Right4Center1Last UpdatedBias Distribution66% Right
Bias Distribution
- 66% of the sources lean Right
66% Right
L 17%
C 17%
R 66%
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