At least 54 people, including 12 children, have been killed and over 100 injured in a suicide bombing at a political convention organized by the Islamist Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) party in Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

The attack, in the town of Khar, Bajaur district, was close to the border with Afghanistan and the perpetrator's identity and motives remain unknown.

In the aftermath of the tragic attack, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for an investigation and has expressed his condolences to the victims and their families.

JUI-F party leader, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, has also expressed his regret and sorrow following the devastating explosion.

These reactions highlight the widespread condemnation of the attack and the desire for those responsible to be held accountable.