At least 259 workers were burnt alive in one of the country’s worst industrial disasters when fire broke out in the Ali Enterprises factory on September 9, 2012. PHOTO: AFP
KARACHI: Despite its promises, the Sindh government has not released funds to the commission constituted by the court to disburse monetary compensation among the families of the Baldia factory fire.
The Sindh High Court, after learning about the delay in funds, issued notice to the relevant provincial government’s authorities and advocate general on Wednesday to explain why the government has not released funds despite an undertaking given before the court.
At least 259 workers were burnt alive in one of the country’s worst industrial disasters when fire broke out in the Ali Enterprises factory on September 9, 2012.
After multiple human rights advocacy groups approached the high court for a judicial inquiry into the disaster, the federal and provincial governments pledged to give monetary compensation to the victim families.
A German firm, KIK Textiles, which was among the largest buyers of the readymade garments produced at the ill-fated Ali Enterprises, had also announced to provide financial assistance worth $1 million for the families of the deceased. The firm, however, had requested the court to constitute a commission to be headed by a retired judge for disbursement of the compensation amount in a fair and transparent manner.
“On January 29, the court had constituted a commission for distributing the money but the Sindh government has yet to release funds for the commission, including the commissioner’s fee,” the judges were informed on Wednesday.
“The families of the victims will continue to suffer till the money is distributed,” apprehended lawyer Muhammad Wavda, pleading to the court to direct the provincial chief secretary to release the budget of the commission, including the fee of the commissioner, within two weeks.
The bench headed by Justice Ahmed Ali M Sheikh, after hearing arguments, issued notice to the relevant authorities in the provincial government and advocate general to file comments by June 17.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 13th, 2013.
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