Sindh govt makes Uzair Baloch, Baldia Town JIT reports public

JIT report of Nisar Murai, former chairman of Fishermen’s Cooperative Society has not been uploaded.

KARACHI (Dunya News) – Sindh government on Monday made public joint investigation team reports (JITs) of Uzair Baloch, leader of Lyari gang war and JIT of the Baldia Factory tragedy.

The JIT report of Nisar Murai, former chairman of Fishermen’s Cooperative Society has also been uploaded on the website.

It is pertinent here to mention that Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Syed Ali Haider Zaidi has been demanding the release of the three JITs for some time.

Earlier, the Sindh government had announced to make public the Joint Investigation Reports (JIT) of Uzair Baloch, Baldia Factory fire, and Nisar Murai, former chairman of Fishermen’s Cooperative Society.

Addressing a press conference today (Friday) alongside Sindh Information Minister Nasir Hussain Shah, spokesman Murtaza Wahab said that all the three JIT reports will be published on the Home Department’s website on Monday.

Murtaza Wahab claimed that there was nothing against the PPP leadership in Uzair Baloch’s JIT report. “Uzair Baloch’s JIT report does not mention Asif Ali Zardari or Faryal Talpur’s name,” he added.

The provincial spokesperson said, “PTI’s only job is to make accusations against the people. Performance of Ali Zaidi as the Minister of Maritime Affairs is also in front of everyone.”

The minister had claimed that the provincial government was trying to protect officials and politicians by hiding the reports.

The Baldia factory fire has been considered to be one of the deadliest industrial catastrophes. The fire at Ali Enterprise Garment Factory in Baldia Town on September 11, 2012, had resulted in the deaths of around 260 people and had left another 49 injures. The harrowing incident not only exposed the appalling working conditions for factory labourers but also served as a reminder of the lawlessness which prevailed in the city.

Uzair Baloch Report

The Joint Investigation Reports (JIT) of Lyari Crime Lord Uzair Baloch has revealed that the accused had involved in the killing of 198 people and several heinous crimes.

The report said that the gangster joined the Rehman Dacoit gang to take revenge for his father’s killing by Arshad Pappu. The Lyari gangster also confessed to killing Arshad Papu

The JIT report revealed that seven-station house officers (SHOs) had been appointed in police stations on the basis of Baloch’s political influences in order to establish an organized network of criminals in Lyari.

The JIT report also revealed the purchase of various weapons between 2008 and 2013, as well as his implication in the targeted killing of several people.

The JIT investigators also exposed the ownership of illegal assets of Uzair Baloch in Pakistan and Dubai. More than 20 accomplices of Uzair Baloch are listed in the JIT report.

Baldia Town factory fire report

The Joint Investigation Team’s (JIT) report on the 2012 Karachi factory fire, that was finally made public, has termed the incident an act of “terrorism” and held the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) responsible for it. Around 259 workers were burnt alive and hundreds injured in the multi-storey building of the Ali Enterprises garment factory on September 11, 2012.

The report stated that the factory was set on fire for not paying extortion money of up to Rs250 million and that leaders of Karachi-based political party MQM — mainly Hammad Siddiqui and Rehman Bhola — were involved in the crime.

The 25-page JIT report concluded that the “factory fire was a planned sabotage/terrorist activity and not an accidental fire” carried out “due to refusal to pay extortion (Bhatta) of Rs20 million and partnership in factory profits by factory owners to (MQM) office-bearers.”

The investigation is based on multiple eyewitness accounts and technical reports. The fire, it said, was unnatural and had multiple origins simultaneously. A Punjab Forensic Science Agency report claimed it was an “arson” and there were “no signs of electrical short circuit”. The fire spread over a large area due to combustible material present on the premises.

The report concluded:

1. The factory fire was a planned sabotage/terrorist activity and “not an accidental fire”. It was carried out due to refusal to pay extortion money of Rs200 million.

2. The incident was handled from the beginning in a way to “benefit the offenders” rather “victims of the crime” for some “motive and gains”.

3. The first information report (FIR) did not mention extortion, which JIT considers “element of prime and critical importance”. The lodging of FIR suffered heavily from “tremendous influence” both “internal and extraneous”.

4. The accused absconders should be brought back to the country, arrested, their passports be cancelled and names be put on no-fly list (ECL).

5. The 1,000 square-yard property in Hyderabad, purchased from extorted money, should be transferred back to factory owners.

6. New laws and safety procedures need to be put in place to prevent such terrorist activities, threats and extortions.

7. All witnesses must be provided protection.

Nisar Murai report 

According to the JIT report, the JIT members are of the opinion that the accused has remained involved in following illegal activities.

The accused employed over 50-200 people as ghost employees in the fisheries department.

He extorted money per month from Sultan Qamar Siddiqui, former chairman FCS. He facilitated land grabbers. He also received a huge amount of bribe to clear lands challan.

According to the accused, Zulfiqar Mirza provided financial support and arms ammunition to him. The gifted weapons include 1 rifle, 2 pistols. Several illegal weapons have been recovered his possession.

The report added that during his posting at government Dispensary Ibrahim Hyderi, he never practically served their but received salary. During the investigation, the accused disclosed that he is involved in the murder of Sajjad Hussain.