Gas Explosion Rocks Pakistan’s Supreme Court Basement, 12 Injured

A powerful explosion shook the Supreme Court of Pakistan in Islamabad on Tuesday morning, leaving at least 12 people injured and causing panic inside the building.

According to officials, the blast occurred around 10:55 a.m. in the basement cafeteria of the Supreme Court, where technicians were carrying out maintenance work near an air-conditioning plant. The explosion was caused by a gas leak that ignited while the technicians were on duty.

Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud bang that reverberated through the lower floors of the court complex, briefly halting proceedings in several courtrooms. Hearing sessions were underway when the blast occurred, prompting lawyers, judges, and staff to rush out of the building.

Inspector General of Islamabad, Ali Nasir Rizvi, confirmed that 12 people sustained injuries, with several technicians among the most severely hurt. One technician reportedly suffered burns on 80% of his body and remains in critical condition.

Emergency response teams and fire units were immediately dispatched to the site. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment, and the building was quickly evacuated as a precaution.

The explosion caused minor structural damage to Court No. 6, with portions of the ceiling collapsing and the area filled with smoke. Videos from the scene showed debris scattered across the floor and staff assisting injured individuals out of the basement.

Authorities have launched a detailed investigation to determine whether negligence or safety lapses led to the gas leak. Preliminary reports suggest that maintenance work involving gas lines and air-conditioning units was ongoing when the explosion occurred.

Officials have assured that no fatalities were reported and that the building’s safety is now under review. The Supreme Court is expected to resume normal operations once security and structural checks are completed.

The incident has raised serious concerns about safety protocols in high-security government facilities, particularly in sensitive areas like Islamabad’s Red Zone, where the Supreme Court is located.