Baldia Factory case: Rauf Siddiqui made part of the investigation

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) Rauf Siddiqui, on Saturday, was added as a suspect in the investigation regarding the deadly 2012 Baldia Factory fire, on the orders of an Anti-terrorism Court (ATC).

The court also ordered Rauf Siddiqui to cooperate with the investigation, in response to a petition filed by the Rangers prosecutor.

According to the case’s supplementary charge sheet, Abdul Rehman alias Bhola, who was arrested in Bangkok through Interpol and brought back to Pakistan, disclosed during investigation that he along with Zubair alias Charya, and others set the factory ablaze on the instruction of Hammad Siddiqui after the factory owners had refused to pay the demanded protection money.

The suspect also alleged that after the incident Rauf Siddiqui allegedly got a case registered against the owners of the industrial unit and received Rs40-50 million from the owners to tone down the case against them.

However, according to the supplementary report, sufficient evidence was not found against Hammad, who joined the investigation and denied all charges.

Over 250 workers died in September 2012, in a fire in the multistory garment factory building in Baldia Town.