Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Blast kills five as ministers visit Pakistan

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The Home and Defence Secretaries visited Islamabad today amid heightened security after a blast at a UN office.

Five people were killed and several injured as a suicide bomber blew himself up in the lobby of the World Food Program in the Pakistani capital, police and witnesses said.

Bob Ainsworth and Alan Johnson were due to meet several ministers in the city as part of an initiative to highlight the key role Pakistan plays in handling terror in the UK.

A British Embassy spokesman said the pair would continue their visit as scheduled.

He said: "I'm not prepared to say where they are staying, but it is safe to say they were not affected."

Mr Johnson said the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan were the areas where "three-quarters of terror attacks are generated".

He added: "We have a very good relationship with Pakistan - they are the second most important country besides the US in our counter-terrorism partnership.

"It gives us a role to play, not just in the UK, but to help Pakistan protect itself."

The WFP is distributing food to poor Pakistanis, including those in the northwest who have been displaced or affected by a recent Pakistan army offensive against militants in the Swat Valley.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in