The court adjourned the hearing of the case till October 24: Photo: File
Karachi: The Sindh High Court has ordered to block the identity cards and passports of 4 accused including the accused Hamad Siddiqui in the Baldia tragedy case.
A 2-member bench of the Sindh High Court, headed by Justice KK Agha, heard the petition related to the repatriation of the fugitive accused in the murder of the Baldiya case, the State Life Regional Chief and the police officer.
The court ordered to block the passports, identity cards and bank accounts of the fugitive accused Hamad Siddiqui, Taqi Haider Shah and Khurram Nisar. The Supreme Court also issued a show-cause notice to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs for not appearing.
Chief Secretary Sindh, Secretary Labor, Secretary Industries, Federal Additional Secretary, Foreign Office representative, DIG South Asad Raza and other police officials appeared in the court. The court expressed its displeasure at the failure to make efforts to bring back home the fugitive accused abroad. The Ministry of Home Affairs, in response, said that the federal government processes the issuance of red notices on the request of the provincial government. On 26 January 2017, Hammad Siddiqui’s red warrant was issued on the request of the Sindh government in the Baldia tragedy case. The Red Warrant expired on completion of the 5-year period.
The Red Warrant was extended by 5 years on 1st September 2021 which is still active. A letter has been written to all countries including UAE on September 16, 2023 for the arrest of Hamad Siddiqui. Hammad Siddiqui left Abu Dhabi in 2017, the Abu Dhabi government said. Steps have been taken to arrest Hamad Siddiqui through Interpol.
The Federal Interior Secretary said that Khurram Nisar is a Swedish national and Pakistan does not have an extradition agreement with Sweden. Pakistan has extradition agreements with 92 countries.
The court remarked whether accused Khurram Nisar has dual citizenship. Justice KK Agha remarked that the Swedish government must be informed that its citizen had killed a policeman in Pakistan. If he has dual citizenship, he can also be tried under Swedish law. Swedish government magistrates can record witness statements. The killing took place in Pakistani territory.
The court expressed its indignation for not blocking the identity cards and passports of accused Taqi Haider Shah and Khurram Nisar. The court inquired that why the passports and identity cards of the two absconding accused have not been blocked yet? The Federal Additional Secretary Interior said that the Sindh Home Department will block the ID cards and passports of the two absconding accused when asked to block them.
The court ordered to block the passports and identity cards of Taqi Haider Shah and Khurram Nisar. Justice KK Agha inquired that when did Hamad Siddiqui land in Pakistan for the last time? The details of Hamad Siddiqui’s last landing in Pakistan should be presented. Justice KK Agha remarked that it is a sad situation that many factories in Karachi do not have fire fighting equipment.
The Chief Secretary said that according to the report of the Labor Department, 4,000 registered factories are currently working in Karachi. There was a discrepancy in the reports of the Industries Department and the Labor Department regarding the factories. According to the report of K Electric, 32 thousand industrial connections have been given in the city. Justice KK Agha remarked that this meant that a large number of factories were not registered. If the factories are not registered, the unregistered factories should be registered immediately. The factories across the city should be re-inspected and certificates should be issued. If any accident occurs even after the issuance of the certificate, the responsibility will be on the Secretary of Labour. Factories are making profit but workers are not safe.
The court sought a report on safety measures and implementation of labor laws in factories located in Karachi. The court sought a report from NADRA and Secretary Foreign Affairs by October 2 on the next hearing. The court issued a show cause notice to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs for not appearing.
The court adjourned the hearing till October 23 while ordering the Prosecutor General of Sindh to present the list of absconding and wanted accused from across the province.
According to the prosecutor, on September 11, 2012, 260 workers were burnt to death and more than 50 people were injured in a fire that broke out in a factory called Ali Enterprises located in Baldia Town, Karachi. Eight years later in 2020, the court declared in its verdict that the fire did not start in the factory but was set.
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