Panic prevailed in the otherwise calm Karachi Racecourse before the start of races Wednesday following a hoax call that bomb will be blown up if the day’s programme was not put off.

“An unidentified caller rang up at the KRC office around 12.00noon, an hour before the start of opening race, that a time bomb has been planted in the premises which will be blown up if the races were not cancelled,” deputy secretary KRC, Syed Ali Akbar Shah Rashdi, told Dawn.

He said horses vying for honours in the first race were immediately called back besides informing the bomb disposal squad and police.

The official said bomb disposal squad and sleuths of law enforcing agencies reached the KRC after some time and following a thorough search found that the call was a hoax.

After getting a green signal, the first race started about 15-20 minute behind schedule and the entire programme went smoothly, he added.

However, it was found through CLI that the call was made from phone No 5893743 from Cosmos PCO, shop No 3, plot No 33/12, Commercial Street, Phase two, DHA.

Meanwhile, Fakir Syed Aitzaz Uddin, administrator KRC, said he plans to introduce security check of people at the entrance besides increasing vigilance from the next Gymkhana race meeting.