Karachi, Lahore & Amsterdam, 11 September 2026: 

14 years ago today, over 250 workers lost their lives at the Ali Enterprises textile factory in the Baldia district of Karachi, Pakistan. On this anniversary, Pakistan Accord remembers them and expresses its deepest condolences to their families and to all those affected by the tragedy.

To mark the occasion, Pakistan Accord staff in its Karachi and Lahore offices held an internal dialogue, 14 Years On: Remembering the Baldia Factory Fire, reflecting on the importance of workplace health and safety and the lessons that remain relevant for the garment industry.

Zulfiqar Shah, Country Director, Pakistan Accord; Véronique Camerer, Deputy Director, International Accord; Kirsty Drew, Chief Complaints Officer, Pakistan Accord, and other staff members paid tribute to the workers who lost their lives and highlighted the continued importance of effective fire, electrical, and structural safety measures for workers.

 

The Baldia tragedy remains an important reminder of the need for effective fire prevention, appropriate safety measures, and safe working conditions. Workplace safety requires sustained attention, effective systems, and the active involvement of all relevant stakeholders.

The Pakistan Accord was established in the context of major industrial disasters, including the Ali Enterprises (Baldia) factory fire in Pakistan and the Rana Plaza collapse in Bangladesh, with the objective of contributing to safer workplaces in the garment and textile industry.

Since its launch in January 2023, the Pakistan Accord team has conducted safety inspections at over 450 factories, identifying more than 40,000 safety risks. Corrective Action Plans (CAPs) have been developed, and Pakistan Accord engineers, including international experts, are working with suppliers to support remediation in accordance with applicable national and international safety standards.

The program currently covers factories employing more than 500,000 workers. Pakistan Accord will continue to support listed suppliers in addressing identified safety issues and strengthening workplace safety systems.

The Accord’s workplace program has also provided safety awareness training to more than 250,000 workers and established a trusted Complaints Mechanism through which workers can raise health and safety concerns. More than 800 complaints have been received so far.

Pakistan Accord recognises that workplace safety improvements can only be achieved and sustained in cooperation and collaboration with brands, suppliers, workers and their representatives, government, and other relevant stakeholders.

On this anniversary, Pakistan Accord remembers the workers who lost their lives and reaffirms its commitment to supporting continued improvements in workplace health and safety in Pakistan’s garment and textile industry.

END