President Asif Zardari on Thursday said the government would not withdraw the case against owners of Baldia factory. According to media reports, President Zardari gave this assurance to Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan after the latter called the former in the wake of a report that Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf had ordered withdrawal of the case, four months after the worst-ever industrial disaster in the history of Pakistan.
More than 250 people were burnt to death at a garment factory in Karachi’s Baldia Town in October 2012.
The case had been registered against three owners of the factory –Abdul Aziz, Shahid Bhaila and Rashid Bhaila.
Reports said the PM on Wednesday ordered withdrawal of an FIR against the industrialists, fulfilling his promise he made with office-bearers of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).
Meanwhile, the Sindh governor telephoned President Zardari and apprised him of legal aspects of the case. The governor said that withdrawal of the case would be tantamount to injustice to the victim families.
President Zardari assured Dr Ibad that all requirements of justice would be met during the course of investigation of the case. Dr Ibad also telephoned Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf urging him not to withdraw the case.
At which, the president ordered Minister of State for Finance Salim Mandviwala to visit Karachi and meet the Sindh chief minister, the Sindh governor and heirs of the factory fire victims in order to review progress in the case and compensation matters.
