KARACHI: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Monday adjourned the hearing of Baldia factory fire case until September 25 and said the accused will be indicted during the next hearing.

The ATC resumed hearing of the case on Monday with all the accused provided copies of the case.

In September 2012, a deadly fire devoured 269 lives at a factory situated in Karachi's Baldia Town. Subsequent investigations led to revelations that the factory was deliberately set ablaze over non-payment of protection money.

Five years on, relatives of Baldia factory fire long for justice

The blaze erupted at Ali Enterprises on September 11, 2012, of which a case was registered a day after, declaring it a mishap

Police produced Abdul Rehman alias Bhola, Zubair alias Charya and other accused before the court. The ATC expressed displeasure over the absence of two accused, Umar Hassan Qadri and Ali Hassan Qadri.

All those accused in the case were provided case copies by the court. Charges will formally be framed on the accused on September 25.

The Sindh High Court has ordered to expedite the case and that its progress report be submitted to it after every hearing.

The court sought arguments on Rehman Bhola's bail plea on next hearing, while factory owners, Abdul Aziz Bhaila and others, filed a plea seeking return of money deposited as surety bond.

The ATC also reserved verdict on acquittal of two factory employees, Shahrukh and Ali Ahmed, and adjourned the hearing until September 25.