Pakistani authorities say a suicide bomber has killed at least 22 people and wounded 25 others, including the country's interior minister.
Police say the attack in northwestern Pakistan occurred while people were gathering around Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao following a public meeting in the town of Charsadda, Saturday.
Security guards blocked the attacker as he tried to get close to Sherpao.
Officials say the interior minister, a man involved in Pakistan's efforts to fight regional terrorism, was wounded but in stable condition.
Officials say they have found the head and torso of the attacker, but are still trying to learn his identity.
The attack is the latest in a series of bombings targeting Pakistani officials since the country became a U.S. ally in the fight against terrorism in 2001.
The attack came as Pakistan President Prevez Musharraf is preparing to meet in Turkey to discuss border security with his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
