Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah Friday addressed a press conference, insisting that yesterday’s blast in Lahore was an accident, and not an act of terrorism.
“Initial reports and proofs suggest that there was gas leakage in the building. There was also presence of gas cylinders, therefore, there is strong possibility that the explosion was caused by gas leakage. It could not be called an incident of terrorism,” Rana Sanaullah said.
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He said no evidence of explosive material was found from the blast site, adding that a complete forensic report is being awaited.
A powerful explosion in the upscale DHA area killed eight people and injured 35 others, only 10 days after a suicide bomb attack right in front of the Punjab Assembly had claimed 15 lives.
The blast crumpled cars and sent panic rippling through the city after a wave of attacks across Pakistan killed more than 130 people.
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The explosion, occurred at an under-construction cafe in the Defence Housing Authority area’s Z Block, killed the café owner Moazam Paracha, who was also chief executive officer of telecom company Airlink.
Contradictory statements following the blast created confusion and deepened the mystery about nature of the blast.
It was termed a cylinder blast and a time bomb. Later in the day, some police officers returned to the original claim that it was a cylinder explosion.
One officer said the material that exploded might have been stored in the building.
The explanations trying to convince the people that it was not a terrorist strike were not easy to accept given the run-up to the blast.
Rana Sanaullah claimed that it might be a chemical blast.
Many police and administration officials confirmed to different media outlets and news agencies that it was a bomb attack.
No group has yet claimed responsibility.
Reports said neither any ball-bearing were found from the scene nor any sort of stink was reported.
The authorities were removing wreckage of the building from the scene today that may also lead to more findings.
An initial report of the incident has been filed to Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif.
