The official Nazir Khan said the convention of workers from Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s Jamiat Ulema Islam party was taking place on the outskirts of Khar, the capital of Bajur district, when the blast went off.
The official said some of the injured were taken to the city hospital in critical condition and the death toll could rise.
Government administrator Mohibullah Khan Yousufzai confirmed the number of dead and injured. He added that the seriously injured were being airlifted to the provincial capital, Peshawar, for better medical care.
No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but the Islamic State group operates across the border in Afghanistan.
Maulana Ziaullah, the local head of Rehman’s party, is among the dead. Senator Abdur Rasheed and former lawmaker Maulana Jamaluddin were also on the scene but were unharmed. Party officials said Rehman was not at the rally.
Rehman is considered to be a pro-Taliban cleric and his party is part of the coalition government in Islamabad. Rallies are being organized across the country to mobilize supporters for the upcoming elections.
Bajur has been a safe haven for Islamic militants until recent years, when the Pakistani army carried out massive operations to eliminate militancy from the tribal region. Extremists continue to frequently attack security forces and civilians.
FOUNTAIN: Associated Press
