Fear grips City after DHA blast, rumours

LAHORE

The City on Thursday was deprived of its usual lively look once again after a blast in the DHA area in which some eight innocent people lost their lives and over 30 suffered injuries.  

There were conflicting reports about the nature of the blast, and in the meantime, a bomb hoax in Gulberg after the DHA blast worsened the situation. This didn’t end there as rumours kept on circulating about terrorist activities in different parts of the provincial metropolis. This added to the miseries of the people who remained in the grip of fear and confined themselves to their homes while parents of school kids rushing to the schools. 

A state of panic was particularly witnessed at educational institutions particularly at schools especially in the nearby area of the blast and many were closed before school hours with parents reaching the schools to pick up their kids.

The DHA blast was the second in the provincial metropolis in 10 days of The Mall suicide attack (Feb 13) which claimed the lives of 15 people, including two high-ranking police officers.

The markets in the provincial metropolis, including Hall Road, Anarkali and Ichhra, remained deserted after the blast while many in Defence and Gulberg areas were immediately closed down. 

Rumours were also going round that the educational institutions would remain closed on Friday (today). However, neither the government nor the private sector confirmed this. However, teachers expect a thin attendance in the wake of Thursday’s unfortunate incident.

Meanwhile, social media was abuzz with condemnation of the blast and prayers for those who lost their lives and for the protection of the country. 

“Deeply saddened to hear the blast in Z block, Defence, Lahore. Condolences to all families. May Allah help and protect our homeland Pakistan,” tweeted a citizen, Abuzar.

In social media post Dr Umar Saif, who is Adviser to the Punjab Chief Minister said: “Please do not post or tweet any information about a blast or terrorist activity without verifying. By sharing unverified news, you are actually helping the terrorists spread panic and fear. Stay strong, stay safe.”

Meanwhile, an MoU signing ceremony between Information Technology University (ITU) and edX—an online learning destination founded by Harvard University and MIT, which was scheduled to held on Thursday evening was postponed in the wake of Defence area blast. 

Provincial Minister for Specialised Healthcare & Medical Education Khawaja Salman Rafiq and Secretary Najam Ahmad Shah reached Lahore General Hospital immediately after receiving information of Defence bomb blast and personally supervised treatment of the injured.

According to a handout issued here on Thursday, Provincial Minister for Primary & Secondary Health Kh. Imran Nazir also arrived and reviewed the situation. Doctors and nurses of Lahore General Hospital provided immediate medical facilities to injured persons.

Meanwhile, Kh Salman Rafiq also visited National Hospital Defence and inquired after the injured of the bomb blast. He also donated blood on this occasion. Both the ministers strongly condemned bomb blast and expressed deep grief over loss of precious human lives. They directed the hospital administration to extend best medical facilities and special look after to the injured.