Rescue workers said they feared the number of casualties would rise. Television footage showed panic-stricken people gathering at the site following the blast as ambulances arrived to move the injured to hospitals. Over 500 people were attending the convention when the blast occurred. Pic/AFP

DIG police Malakand Range Nasir Mehmud Satti said the initial investigation revealed it was a suicide blast. However, evidence is being collected to determine the nature of the blast. An official of the Bomb Disposal Unit said the initial investigation report confirmed it was a suicide blast in which 12 kg explosives were used. The area was sealed and a search operation has been initiated, he said. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the deadly attack, which came after a brief lull. Pic/AP

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the blast at the JUI-F convention. He said terrorists targeted those who advocated the cause of Islam, the Holy Quran and Pakistan. 'Terrorists are enemies of Pakistan and they will be eliminated,' he said in a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office. Elements involved in the incident would be meted out with strict punishment, he said. He also sought a report of the incident from Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Pic/AFP

President Arif Alvi prayed for eternal peace for the departed souls and commiserated with the bereaved families. He also wished speedy recovery for the injured and emphasised the timely provision of medical assistance to them. Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah vowed to bring the perpetrators of today's attack to justice. 'The cowardly acts of terrorists cannot dampen our spirits," he posted on X, the social media platform previously known as Twitter. Pic/AFP

The JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman demanded Prime Minister Sharif and the province's caretaker Chief Minister Azam Khan to investigate the incident. He also urged the party workers to reach the hospital and donate blood. "JUI workers should remain peaceful and federal and provincial governments should provide the best treatment to the injured," said Fazl. Chief Minister Khan condemned the blast and sought a report from the district administration.

Police said that the injured have been shifted to a nearby hospital. The condition of many injured people was stated to be critical. JUI-F leader Hafiz Hamdullah said he was supposed to attend the convention today but could not because of some personal commitments. 'I strongly condemn the blast and want to give a message to the people behind it that this is not jihad but terrorism,' the JUI-F leader said, adding that it was an attack on humanity and Bajaur. Pic/AP