Seven hurt in Pakistan blasts

At least seven people have been injured after two cars exploded within minutes of each other outside the Pakistan-American cultural centre in Karachi today.

Police Superintendent Ghulam Mohammed Dogar said a bomb planted inside the first car detonated outside the gate of the centre, and one injured person was taken to the hospital.

Minutes later, a second car parked nearby exploded, billowing fire and smoke. Three photographers and three policemen were rushed to hospital in an ambulance.

After the first explosion, police sealed off the area as bomb disposal experts arrived to examine the wreckage.

The second blast damaged the outer wall of the cultural centre, but the building itself was undamaged.

The centre is situated close to the residence of the American consul general in Karachi.

Karachi is Pakistan’s biggest city and has been a scene of bombings and terrorist attacks in the past.

In June 2002, a bombing outside the US consulate in Karachi killed 12 people.