An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Karachi has announced that the verdict in Baldia factory tragedy will be announced on September 17, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Wednesday.

More than 260 workers were burnt alive in the multi-storey building of the Ali Enterprises garment factory on Sept 11, 2012. The factory owners blamed the MQM for the tragedy.

On 13 January this year, ATC recorded statements of six accused persons, including Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader Rauf Siddiqui, Abdul Rehman alias Bhola and Zubair alias Chariya, in the Baldia factory fire case.

Nine accused — including then provincial minister for commerce and industries Rauf Siddiqui, then MQM sector-in-charge Abdul Rehman, alias Bhola; Zubair, alias Chariya — and others have been charged with allegedly setting ablaze the ill-fated industrial unit with the help of its four gatekeepers — Shahrukh, Fazal Ahmed, Arshad Mehmood and Ali Mohammad in February 2017.

The court reserved a judgment against the accused after hearing the arguments of both the parties. The TV channel reported the case against the accused was transferred from the City Court to the ATC Karachi.