KARACHI: Local court in Karachi on Saturday issued non-bailable arrest warrant for suspect Mansoor in Baldia Town tragedy case and adjourned the hearing till May 02.

During the hearing, former investigation officer Jahanzaib told the court that the concern department was informed about his health condition as he had underwent two operations.

He said that the doctors have advised him to take complete bed rest.

The judge expressed resentment and said that no one comes to court with happiness. He asked the officer to stay at home and take rest.

Subsequently, the court issued non-bailable arrest warrants for suspect Mansoor and adjourned the case till May 2.

Earlier, senior lawyer Khalid Mehboob was appointed new public prosecutor by the government.

It may be added that a garments factory in Baldia Town had caught fire on September 11, 2012 claiming around 259 lives while at least 600 were injured. Rangers had claimed that Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) was behind the incident.

A report presented in the Sindh High Court (SHC) claimed that a high official of the party had demanded extortion money from the owners of the factory.

Joint Investigation Team’s (JIT) report stated that Rs 200 millions was demanded from the owners while Rehman Bhola, Hammad Siddique and Zubair among eight were involved in setting the factory on fire.

The JIT members had demanded inclusion of anti-terror acts in the case. The JIT also proposed to nullify passports of the fugitives and to put them on Exit Control List (ECL).

Earlier in March, one of the accused, Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) former member Anees Qaimkhani returned to Pakistan. However, a report that was filed after his return did not bear his name as suspect in the case.

The court was told that the last report of the JIT was with the Home Department and authorities were waiting for Home Department’s instructions over registration of a new case.