ATC to hear final arguments in Baldia factory fire case

Hearing fixed for June 25

KARACHI: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) directed on Saturday the counsel of accused Zubair alias Charya and special public prosecutor Sajid Mehboob Shaikh to continue the final phase of arguments at the next hearing of the Baldia factory fire case.

The ATC was hearing the case at Karachi Central Jail, where jail officials informed the court that Zubair had tested positive for coronavirus, submitting his medical report in court.

Zubair’s counsel maintained that the witnesses had made baseless allegations against his client, arguing that Zubair was not involved in setting the factory ablaze.

Shaikh, however, pointed out that over 400 witnesses had attested to Zubair’s involvement in the case, while the police also found evidence of his involvement. He claimed the accused was present when the factory was set on fire, pointing to this as evidence of his culpability.

The court directed the accused’s counsel and the prosecutor to continue the final phase of arguments at the next hearing, which is to take place on June 25.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 21^st, 2020.