PESHAWAR: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan condemned the blast took place in a market on Saturday morning, killing at least 21, injuring many, and ordered for a detailed report regarding the incident, Aaj News reported. 

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also expressed grief over the loss of life. He directed concerned authorities to provide best medical treatment to the injured. Further, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan condemned the blast and ordered for a detailed report regarding the incident.

Condemning the incident, Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf Chairman Imran Khan said the culprits behind today's deadly incident are the enemies of our country, security for public places must be strengthened, he added. He tweeted on Social Media portal:

Strongly condemn blast in Parachinar targeting innocent civilians. Intel & security for public places must be strengthened.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) January 21, 2017

The blast happened in a crowded vegetable market in Parachinar city, the capital of Kurram tribal district on the Afghan border where officials said the death toll was expected to rise.

"At least 21 people have been killed and 47 wounded," Ikramullah Khan, a senior government official in Parachinar, told AFP.

Khan said the blast was caused by an IED (improvised explosive device) which was hidden in a vegetable box.

Pakistan military said soldiers had reached the site and cordoned off the area. "Army helicopters are evacuating the injured," it said in a short statement.

Kurram is one of Pakistan's seven semi-autonomous tribal districts which are governed according to local laws and customs.