Survivors of the Baldia Factory tragedy, along with labour rights organisations, have renewed their demand for reopening the case after a recent Supreme Court verdict, and they argue that the real perpetrators behind one of Pakistan’s deadliest industrial disasters have still not been held accountable.
Moreover, they maintain that the latest legal development has strengthened their long-standing position regarding responsibility, particularly focusing on factory owners and certain state institutions, which they believe played a central role in the incident.
Press Conference Highlights Concerns Over Accountability
Representatives of victims and labour organisations expressed their concerns during a joint press conference held in Karachi, where they stressed that justice remains incomplete even after years of legal proceedings and investigations.
The event was attended by labour leaders including National Trade Union Federation Pakistan General Secretary Nasir Mansoor and Pakistan Workers Federation Senior Vice President Zahra Khan, along with other representatives of workers’ rights groups.
Allegations of Misguided Investigation
The speakers alleged that the original investigation was deliberately directed in a way that protected those who were actually responsible for the disaster, and they claimed that key accountability questions were never properly addressed during legal proceedings.
Furthermore, they pointed to a recent Supreme Court decision by a three-member bench, which acquitted two accused individuals, Abdul Rehman Bhola and Zubair Charia, giving them the benefit of the doubt.
According to the representatives, this ruling has created an impression that responsibility for the deaths of more than 250 workers has not been clearly established, which deepens concerns among victims’ families.
Call for Reopening the Case
Victims and labour leaders jointly demanded that the Baldia Factory case be re-examined from a broader accountability perspective, and they insisted that all responsible parties must be identified and prosecuted without exception.
In addition, they urged authorities to investigate not only individuals but also factory owners and institutional actors who may have contributed to negligence or failure in preventing the disaster.
They emphasized that justice cannot be considered complete unless all layers of responsibility are fully examined through transparent legal proceedings.
Unfulfilled Promises to Victims’ Families
The speakers also highlighted that several commitments made to victims and their families remain unfulfilled even after many years, particularly regarding compensation, rehabilitation, and long-term support measures.
Moreover, they stated that the lack of proper follow-through has added to the suffering of affected families, many of whom continue to struggle with financial and emotional hardship after losing their loved ones in the tragedy.
Conclusion
The renewed demand to reopen the Baldia Factory case reflects ongoing concerns over justice, accountability, and unresolved legal questions, and victims’ families continue to seek a clear determination of responsibility in one of Pakistan’s most devastating industrial disasters.
