KARACHI: At least eight people were injured in a blast which took place in Gulistan-e-Johar area of Karachi on Saturday night, ARY News reported.
According to ARY News correspondent Salman Lodhi, the blast took place near Perfume Chowk, where Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) had organised Mehfil-e-Milad.
The injured have been rushed to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) for medical treatment. Three of the injured are said to be in critical condition.
Exclusively talking to ARY News about nature of the blast, DIG East Aamir Farooqui said it was a cracker bomb.
He said a cracker-type bomb packed in a box was hurled towards the Milad gathering, which resulted in injury of six people.
MQM-P leader Faisal Sabzwari claimed that MQM-P Convener Khalid Maqbool and Khawaja Izhar ul Hassan narrowly escaped the blast. He said several of his party workers were injured.
Blast in Gulistan e jauhar at @MQMPKOfficial Mehfil e Zikr e Mustafa PBUH. Several MQM workers injured. Convenor Khalid Maqbool, @IzharulHassan & others narrowly escaped
— Faisal Subzwari (@faisalsubzwari) December 8, 2018
Police and other law enforcers have cordoned off the area.
While, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Governor Imran Ismail have taken notice of the incident.
The CM has directed the Karachi commissioner and the additional inspector general Sindh police to immediately submit him report on the incident.
Murad Shah contacted Izhar and Sabzwari on telephone and inquired about the incident. Izhar told that his driver and Khalid Maqbool’s coordinator were injured.
Imran Ismail has also sought report from the inspector general of Sindh police and directed the relevant authorities to provide the best possible treatment to the wounded.
Sources said there were fair chances that it was a planted bomb.
Bomb Disposal Squad has started searching flower pots and other things to make sure that no other bomb was planted in the vicinity.
In-charge Counter Terrorism Department Mazhar Mashwani has also arrived at the scene. He said he was waiting for the report to say something conclusively.
The SSP East said the party did not seek permission and clearance from police for the event.
