KARACHI: The owner of the factory where an explosion occurred killing ten people and injuring at least thirty others has raised suspicion that his factory was targeted like the Baldia Town factory incident.
Moeen Qadri, the owner of the ice depot in New Karachi Industrial Area, had decried foul play and said his factory was deliberately targeted and was a criminal conducted. He also claimed to have been receiving threats since the past four months.
Police have ruled out any criminal activity in the incident but have ordered a completed probe into the incident. However, Qadri claims the machinery was working fine and there may have been criminal activity rather than an industrial accident.
“There may have a bomb in the office, there is a sabotage,” he said in a video message, calling for a high-level inquiry in the incident. Qadri, who has settled abroad with his family, said he will return to Pakistan and deal with all the cases.
READ MORE: Probe launched as death toll from Karachi’s factory explosion reaches 10
Qadri said there was no broiler plant in this factory, rather produce ammonia gas, which doesn’t catch fire but the incident shows evidence of arson. He said he will cooperate with the law-enforcement agencies if there is an independent inquiry in the incident. He claimed to have been receiving death threats like the Baldia Town factory and is in London since the past four months.
SSP Central Ghulam Murtaza Tabbassum has refuted Qadri’s claims and said the factory owner should have informed police if he was receiving threats. He said the initial investigation suggests the gas quantity in the factory was high resulting in the accident due to the factory’s roof caved in.
It may be mentioned that earlier police has raised suspicion over the nature of the blast and claimed that explosive material may have been used in the incident. The Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) was called to collect evidence and a report will be present for further investigation.
