Suicide bombing at political rally in northwest Pakistan kills 44 and wounds 130

Colombo (News 1st) - At least 44 people were killed and over 130 injured when a suicide bomber struck in a crowded political rally of the hardline Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party, which is a member of the ruling coalition, in the town of Khar, the capital of Bajur district in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa near the Afghan border, Pakistani media reported.

The death toll is expected to rise as dozens of wounded were rushed to the main hospital in Khar, many of them with critical injuries. Military helicopters transported many of the wounded to the provincial capital of Peshawar.

The explosion happened before the arrival of the senior party leader, Fazar-ur-Rehman, who is known to be a pro-Taliban cleric. His political party is also part of the coalition government in Islamabad.

Across Pakistan, meetings are being held to mobilize supporters for the upcoming elections, scheduled to take place by October. The rally in Bajur district was part of this effort to gather support for the party's participation in the elections.