March 12, 2008	Wednesday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 3, 1429

HYDERABAD, March 11: Anonymous callers caused panic on Tuesday at the Pakistan Broadcasting House and regional offices of the National Bank of Pakistan on Fatima Jinnah Road.

The panicked employees rushed out of the buildings soon after calls were received claiming the planted bombs would go-off any time. All rushed out of the buildings while authorities informed Makki Shah and Cantonment police to bring Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) officials for conducting search.

A call at the Regional Offices of the NBP on Fatima Jinnah Road was received by Personal Assistant to Regional Business Chief, Tariq Akhtar Khan at around 10.30 am. “The call was made from Qasimabad number with the prefix ‘265’ and he asked me if it was the NBP Regional Office’s number to which I replied in affirmative”, the bank employee told Dawn. The caller then said a bomb had been planted and was about to explode.

Regional Business Chief informed Makki Shah Police SHO Amir Hafeez Kakakhel as bank was located in its jurisdiction. By the time police arrived the employees had already vacated the building. They waited in anxiety on the road while the BDS men searched the place. However, nothing was found.

An official of Pakistan Broadcasting House adjacent to Hyderabad Press Club received a similar hoax call. The main door of the building was closed immediately while all employees came out. An official, Tariq Khokhar working in News Section, said it was not known who attended the call made at around 11am.

On January 17 panic and harassment prevailed in and around half a dozen schools due to rumours about planting of bombs in schools, prompting worried parents to make inquiries.