KARACHI — 2012 · Major Tragedy

The Baldia Town Factory Fire

UnsolvedSources: ALast updated: 14 October 2026

On 11 September 2012 a fire at the Ali Enterprises garment factory in Karachi's Baldia Town killed more than 260 workers, the deadliest industrial fire in Pakistan's history. Locked exit doors and barred windows prevented escape. Initially treated as an accident, the blaze was described in a 2015 investigation report as deliberate arson linked to an extortion demand. In September 2020 an anti-terrorism court sentenced two defendants to death and four factory staff to life imprisonment. In June 2026, however, Pakistan's Supreme Court overturned the two men's convictions for lack of evidence and acquitted them.

Date: 2012
Place: Baldia Town, Sindh, Pakistan, Karachi, PK
Category: Major Tragedy
Case Status: Unsolved
Coordinates: 24.9200, 66.9750 ↗

Timeline of Events

11 September 2012Fire broke out at the Ali Enterprises factory; more than 260 died.
2015An investigation report alleged arson linked to extortion.
22 September 2020An anti-terrorism court sentenced two defendants to death.

2023The Sindh High Court upheld the death sentences.
June 2026The Supreme Court acquitted the two defendants.

Sources

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