Sindh govt files review petition in SC against MQM workers' acquittal in Baldia factory case

The Sindh government has filed a review petition in the Supreme Court of Pakistan against the acquittal of two MQM workers in the Baldia factory tragedy case.

The review petition was submitted by Sindh Prosecutor General Shabbir Shah. The petition raises a legal question over whether Article 188 of the Constitution applies to judgments allegedly contrary to facts and law.

The Sindh government argued that the ruling suffered from serious flaws as it ignored eyewitness accounts, medical evidence and other material on record. It also questioned whether legal heirs of the victims could challenge acquittals under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

The plea further objected to the application of Articles 17 and 4 of the Qanun-e-Shahadat Order 1984, alleging that the judgment overlooked testimony of injured witnesses and expert evidence regarding the use of chemicals to start the fire.

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court of Pakistan acquitted MQM workers Rehman Bhola and Zubair Charya, setting aside the convictions handed down by the anti-terrorism court and upheld by the Sindh High Court. The two had been released after the apex court's order.