KARACHI - An alleged mastermind of Baldia factory fire Hammad Siddiqui will reach Pakistan within couple of days as United Arab Emirates government has reportedly handed over the key suspect to Pakistani authorities.
Hammad Siddiqui, one of the key suspects, was wanted by Pakistan in the Baldia factory fire case, in which more than 259 people had burnt to death. Siddiqui was not only a first suspect who has been arrested in connection with the Baldia factory fire, however, some more key suspects including Zubair alias Charya and Rehman Bhola have already been arrested on charges of being involved in starting the fire after provisions of terrorism. The main suspect in the fire case named Rehman Bhola was brought to Pakistan with the help of Interpol from Thailand.
Sources privy to the matter revealed that Siddiqui has been handed over to the Pakistani authorities by Interpol. Sources said that the process to dispatch the accused to Pakistan for trail has been completed and authorities would shift the accused persons in near future.
Sources said that FIA officials remained unaware of the developments as other security institutions were taken the custody. Siddiqui remained served as the in-charge of the Karachi Tanzeemi Committee of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement since 2008 to 2013. Siddiqui was sacked on May 21, 2013 when Altaf Hussain decided to dissolve KTC for violating party discipline. He shortly left for Dubai and considered a part of the emerging MQM faction Pak Sarzameen Party. Sources pointed out that the Siddiqui have had earlier reached Karachi to announced his affiliation with PSP but left for Dubai once again when security agencies raised objection.
On December 19, 2016 Rehman Bhola appeared before the anti-terrorism court. He confessed that Hammad Siddiqui allegedly sought extortion and shares in the Baldia Factory, and upon refusal, he decided to punish them. After the hearing, the ATC also issued red warrants for Siddiqui. The authority is seeking Interpol to arrest Hammad Siddiqui and bring him in the country for further investigation and legal proceedings.
