Chemical used in Baldia factory fire was ‘highly’ inflammable, says researcher

JIT report submitted in court reveals names of 40 target killers

KARACHI: A special anti-terrorism court (ATC) summoned more witnesses in Baldia factory case after completion of arguments of accused's counsel on statements given by research officer.

The hearing was held at Karachi Central Jail on Monday in which the jail officials presented accused Zubair Charya, Rehman alias Bhola before the court, while special public prosecutor Mehbood Shaikh presented senior research officer of University of Karachi (KU)'s Chemistry Department to record his statement.

According to the witness, the chemical used to set the factory on fire was examined and the findings revealed that the material was highly flammable in presence of oxygen. The fire lit from the chemical becomes stronger when water is sprayed on it, he said.

The counsel for the accused completed their arguments on the statement. The court, summoning more witnesses, adjourned the hearing till May 2.

Meanwhile, the joint investigation team (JIT) probing the Baldia fire incident submitted a report to an ATC on Monday which revealed the names of 40 members of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM)'s team of target killers.

The names were revealed by Rizwan Qureshi, one of the prime accused of the case and the first to expose MQM's involvement in the incident and threats to factory owners.

The JIT report was submitted at the ATC at Karachi Central Jail by Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) Nasir Aftab, which included the names of Ubaid K2, Rais Mama, Saulat Mirza and others.

According to the report, Saulat Mirza has been given death penalty after his conviction in the case involving murder of former Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) [Now K-Electric] managing director Shahid Hamid.

Rizwan Qureshi, according to the report, was in-charge of MQM target killers for Landhi, Malir and Korangi areas and, with the support of Saulat Mirza, he targeted many political rivals and police officers. Qureshi had also admitted that the top leadership of MQM had demanded Rs200 million in ransom from Ali Enterprises. All these activities were handled by MQM organising committee in-charge Hammad Siddiqui and Farooq Salim.

The JIT report was submitted in response to the application filed on April 20 by the prosecutor. The court has admitted the report as part of its record.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 30^th, 2019.