The nature of the blast has not been ascertained, but media reports suggest it may have been a CNG cylinder explosion.

Karachi, home to 18 million people, is the financial capital of Pakistan and has been plagued by militancy as well as violent crime.

Murder rate in the city hit an all time high last year when the number of people killed in violent crime went over 2500 signaling a significant 50 per cent increase in 2011.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2013