Opposition Leader Sindh Ali Khurshidi Expresses Grief Over Landhi Export Processing Zone Factory Fire

Opposition Leader Sindh and senior MQM Pakistan leader, Ali Khurshidi, has expressed deep grief over the tragic fire incident at a factory in the Landhi Export Processing Zone.

In a strongly worded statement issued from MQM Pakistan’s Central Office in Bahadurabad, Ali Khurshidi criticized the Sindh Government, Labour & Manpower Department, and provincial institutions for their sheer negligence. He said that despite the existence of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 2017, the government has completely failed to implement safety regulations in factories.

He highlighted that factory workers are often forced to work in unsafe buildings where firefighting equipment is missing, and emergency evacuation facilities are non-existent. Furthermore, in multi-story factories, exit routes do not comply with international safety standards, putting workers’ lives at severe risk.

Ali Khurshidi also blamed federal authorities for their failure, noting that the Export Processing Zone operates under the direct supervision of the Federal Ministry of Commerce. He expressed regret that within the last three months, three factories have been destroyed by fire, yet no meaningful steps have been taken by provincial or federal officials to protect workers.

The Opposition Leader demanded that an independent inquiry into such fire incidents should be conducted under the supervision of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) experts so that preventive measures can be established based on professional recommendations.

Ali Khurshidi reaffirmed that MQM Pakistan stands firmly with the affected workers and their families and will continue to raise its voice against negligence that risks the lives of Karachi’s labour community.