Musharraf

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP):

A suicide bomber rammed a car packed with explosives into an independent candidate's office in Pakistan's volatile north-west yesterday killing 37 people and wounding more than 90, two days before a crucial parliamentary election, government officials said.

Bodies were seen lying in pools of blood following the blast in Parachinar, a volatile tribal area bordering Afghanistan, one witness said.

A rocket, meanwhile, was fired at a military media centre in another volatile area near the Afghan border, wounding three security personnel, said army spokesman Major General Athar Abbas.

Most of the victims in the suicide bomber attack were believed to be members of the Opposition Pakistan People's Party, formerly headed by slain Opposition leader Benazir Bhutto. They had gathered at the home of candidate Syed Riaz Hussain following a campaign rally, said Mushtaq Hussain, an administrative official in the Kurram area.

Interior Ministry spokesman Javed Iqbal Cheema said 37 people were killed and more than 90 wounded when a suicide bomber drove into a crowd as they were preparing to eat. Asked who could be behind the bombing, he would only say those "who want to derail the election process."

The injured poured into a nearby hospital, many in critical condition with severe burn wounds, said Raza Hussain, one of the doctors.

"Several of our party members are lying in a pool of blood,'' said Zafar Ali, a party supporter at the scene. "We are taking the injured and dumping them into pickup trucks and vans to bring them to the hospital."

crucial to restoring democracy

Tomorrow's elections are considered crucial to restoring democracy in the nation of 160 million following eight years of military rule under President Pervez Musharraf. They take place against a backdrop of rising Islamic militancy, and many candidates have been discouraged from holding large rallies. Security fears were running highest in lawless tribal areas along the Afghan border.

The government has deployed 81,000 soldiers to back up 392,000 police assigned to protect voters, said military spokesman Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas.

Recent opinion surveys show the Opposition poised for a landslide victory amid disenchantment with Musharraf's rule since he seized power in a 1999 coup the retired army general is not up for re-election, he could face impeachment if the Opposition wins a two-thirds majority in the legislature.

Opposition politicians fear the results will be manipulated, something Musharraf insisted would not happen.