The Sindh High Court (SHC) directed on Wednesday the federal and provincial authorities to submit a report on forensic tests carried out at the Baldia factory fire site.
Headed by Chief Justice Maqbool Baqar, a division bench of the SHC was hearing an application filed by an NGO – Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research – seeking compliance of the court orders regarding payment of compensation to the families of victims and identification of burnt bodies.
During the hearing, Ijaz Ahmed, the counsel representing owners of the ill-fated garment factory where more than 250 people were burnt alive on September 11, 2012, submitted that earlier the court had directed authorities to disclose whether various forensic tests as required were carried out or not and if done to what extent and with what results, but no such report was submitted to the court yet.
The court, while acceding to his contention issued directions for the federal and provincial government to obtain the report prepared after various investigations pertaining to the blaze at the factory and submit the same on next hearing.
At outset of the hearing, the judges were informed that the amount for payment of Rs 1,00,000 each to the victims’ families as death grant was released to the secretary Workers Welfare Fund Board. The amount would be disbursed among the victims’ families within 10 days.
The counsel for Workers Welfare Fund Board told the judges that amount of Rs 10,36,00,000 for payment of Rs 0.4million to each family of the victims of the tragedy as part of compensation pledged by the prime minister was also handed over to the secretary labour department for disbursement.
The court directed authorities to deposit both amounts to Nazir of the court who shall ensure quick payment of the compensation to the families of victims.
The court also directed the Karachi police chief to appoint senior and well-reputed officer to monitor the Baldia factory fire case so that nobody makes complaint about the case.
The court adjourned the hearing to December 9.
