An explosion at an Islamist political rally in Pakistan killed at least 45 people and injured dozens more on Friday. The explosion occurred in the town of Dera Ismail Khan, in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, as supporters of the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) party were gathering for a rally.

The TLP is a radical Islamist party that has been protesting against the government’s decision to expel the French ambassador from Pakistan. The party has also been demanding the release of its leader, Saad Rizvi, who was arrested last year.

The cause of the explosion is not yet known, but police believe it was a suicide attack. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but the TLP has blamed the government for the deaths.

The attack is the latest in a series of deadly attacks in Pakistan. In recent months, there have been a number of suicide attacks targeting religious minorities and security forces.

The government has condemned the attack and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. Prime Minister Imran Khan has also ordered a high-level investigation into the incident.

The explosion has sent shockwaves through Pakistan and has raised concerns about the security situation in the country. The TLP is a banned organization, but it still has a significant following in Pakistan. The attack is a reminder of the threat posed by terrorist groups in the country