Baldia factory fire: Court issues arrest warrant against investigation officer

Karachi City Court issues warrant against Inspector Jahanzaib for not appearing before court during case hearing

KARACHI: The Karachi City Court issued on Wednesday a non-bailable arrest warrant against Investigation Officer Inspector Jahanzaib for not appearing before the court in the Baldia factory fire case, Express News reported.

The owner of the targeted Baldia garment factory was also not present during the hearing.

As a result, the court adjourned the hearing till March 7 and ordered police to ensure that the owner appears before the court next time.

Earlier, On February 16,  Special public prosecutor for the case, Shazia Hanjrah, had resigned.



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Speaking to The Express Tribune, Hanjrah confirmed that she had resigned citing the lack of cooperation from police officers who are investigating the factory fire case.

“On occasions, investigation officers did not take me into confidence,” she said.

Hanraj added that the investigating officers did not provide her with copies of witnesses’ statements in the case. During the last hearing of the case, the investigating officers filed a list of witnesses in which the number of witnesses suddenly jumped from 870 to 940, according to the special prosecutor.

In a report submitted to the SHC, Rangers have placed the blame of the Baldia factory fire on the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) . The inferno at Ali Enterprises garment factory claimed lives of 259 people on September 11, 2012.