The death toll has been rising as police and civilian officials try to sort out what happened. Police say at least 18 people are dead, while local television quotes party officials saying it's more. More than two dozen were wounded in the attack.
Pakistan's interior minister says the attack is believed to have been carried out by a suicide bomber who detonated his explosives "very close to the stage" where party officials were assembled. The minister says Islamic extremists who operate in the region are threatening all political parties.
Elections are scheduled for February 18th.
