Why Haven’t Fugitive Hamad Siddiqui and Other Suspects Been Brought Back to Pakistan? Sindh High Court Questions Government’s Inaction

Karachi: The Sindh High Court’s constitutional bench has expressed strong dissatisfaction over the government’s failure to bring back fugitive suspects in several high-profile cases, including Hamad Siddiqui, the main accused in the 2012 Baldia Factory fire that killed 266 people. The court has summoned reports from the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the non-arrest of these suspects.
The hearing, chaired by Justice KK Agha, focused on the failure to extradite fugitives like Hamad Siddiqui, Tauqeer Haider Shah, and Khurram Nisar, who are believed to be abroad. The court criticized the lack of progress in apprehending Siddiqui, who is accused of being involved in the mass killing at the Baldia Factory.
Justice Agha remarked, “Why hasn’t Hamad Siddiqui, who is implicated in the murder of 266 people, been brought back to Pakistan? Who is protecting this individual who faces serious charges?” He also questioned the Ministry of Interior for not acting on the court’s previous orders, which included blocking Siddiqui’s national identity card and passport. “This is a clear failure of the Ministry of Interior in bringing back fugitive suspects,” he added.
The court also expressed frustration over the non-extradition of other fugitives, such as Tauqeer Haider Shah, wanted in the murder of an insurance officer, and Khurram Nisar, accused in the killing of a police official. A lawyer for the petitioners reminded the court that in June 2023, the court had ordered the extradition of Shah from Dubai, but no action had been taken.
The prosecution confirmed that Hamad Siddiqui is the prime accused in the Baldia Factory tragedy, where 266 workers were burned alive in a fire. The court also reprimanded Deputy Protocol Officer Saadia Goher, who claimed to have no knowledge of Siddiqui’s case, noting that the Ministry of Interior had been responsible for providing necessary documentation for his return.
The court further clarified that the responsibility of extraditing the fugitives lay with the federal government, not provincial authorities. The case remains ongoing as the court awaits a response from the federal ministries.