(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-02-16 20:55

ISLAMABAD -- An explosion occurred Saturday near the election office of late former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party in Pakistan's northwestern tribal area, killing 22 people, local TV reported.

The blast took place near an election office of PPP in Parachinar of Kurram Agency in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, DAWN NEWS TV channel reported.

Witnesses said that it was an suicide bombing attack.

As many as 22 people were killed and 50 others injured in the attack, hospital resources said.

Earlier reports said suspected militants Saturday blew up three polling stations in Khar, the center of Bajur tribal agency on Saturday.

Pakistan will hold parliamentary elections on February 18.

Secretary of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Kunwar Dilshad has said that all the arrangements have been made to ensure a peaceful and transparent election in the country.

About 81,000 military troops and 400,000 police personnel will be deployed to ensure the election to go peacefully.

As the polling date of general elections draws near, people fear that suicide bombing attacks may grip the country and hinder the elections despite the government's pledge that security arrangements would be foolproof in the period.

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has repeated said free, fair and transparent general elections would be held in Pakistan as per schedule.