ISLAMABAD: A powerful gas leakage explosion rocked the Supreme Court building in Islamabad on Tuesday morning, leaving twelve people injured and causing widespread panic among staff and lawyers.
According to initial reports, the blast occurred in the basement canteen during repair work on the air-conditioning gas plant. Maintenance workers said the explosion was triggered by gas accumulation inside the cylinder, resulting in shattered windows and damaged nearby walls.
Soon after the incident, Bomb Disposal Squad, Rangers, police, and Rescue 1122 teams arrived at the scene. The affected area was sealed off, and the building was immediately evacuated. The injured were taken to Polyclinic Hospital, where they are receiving medical treatment.
Eyewitnesses said that thick smoke engulfed the premises following the explosion, prompting staff, lawyers, and security personnel to rush outside for safety. Police have cordoned off the area and begun collecting evidence.
Preliminary findings suggest the blast was caused by a gas leak, though investigators have not ruled out other possibilities. Parts of the canteen sustained structural damage due to the intensity of the explosion.
Authorities confirmed that an investigation is underway, with expert teams examining the site to determine the exact cause. The Supreme Court administration has also ordered an immediate safety audit of all ongoing maintenance work.
Officials reported that the injured individuals are in stable condition. Meanwhile, all court proceedings have been temporarily suspended until safety checks are completed.
According to the Islamabad Inspector General of Police (IGP) Syed Nasir Rizvi, the injured persons were immediately shifted to the hospital for medical treatment. The condition of two of the injured persons is stated to be critical.
Fire incident of 2016
The explosion in the top court’s basement cafeteria reminded court employees of the fire incident that occured in 2016. In 2016, a fire broke out in the Supreme Court building due to a short circuit, damaging several offices, including those of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and the Press Association of the Supreme Court (PAS).
The blaze began on the first floor, affecting four SCBA rooms and the PAS office. Two of the SCBA rooms were completely destroyed, while the remaining two sustained significant damage. The PAS office and its electrical equipment were also severely affected.
The Supreme Court administration attributed the incident to a short circuit. Following the incident, then SCBA President Ali Zafar met the then Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali to brief him on the extent of the damage. The then Additional Secretary of the SCBA, Aslam Ghumman, also voiced concern over the long-standing failure to restore the court’s fire alarm system.
