Rauf Siddiqui resigns over Karachi factory fire

Saturday, September 15, 2012 - Karachi—Sindh Minister for Industry and Commerce Rauf Siddiqui on Friday tendered his resignation over the recent factory fire that claimed 258 lives in Karachi.

Speaking to media representatives in Karachi, the provincial minister and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) announced that he had tendered his resignation.

Siddiqui said he had dispatched his resignation to Sindh Governor Ishratul Ebad and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah.

At least 258 workers perished in the horrific fire that destroyed the garment factory in Karachi, an unprecedented industrial tragedy that prompted calls for an overhaul of poor safety standards.

On Thursday, rescue workers at the gutted factory wrapped up their operation after battling the deadly fire for almost 45 hours.

Also on Thursday, police in Karachi registered a murder case against the factory owners.

However, the three were granted “protective bail” for eight days, their counsel told reporters on Friday.

The case was filed against Abdul Aziz, Mohammad Arshad and Shahid Bhaila and other members of the management of Ali Enterprises.