In Pakistan, a powerful blast today ripped through a packed commercial area in northwest Charsadda town killing at least five people.The blast occurred in Farooq-e-Azam chowk, the main commercial area of Charsadda this afternoon. The area was crowded at the time of the explosion. The windows of the office of the 'Geo News' TV channel were also blown out by the explosion. Several shops, residential buildings and cars were damaged by the blast. Police cordoned off the area as local residents and rescue service workers rushed the injured to nearby hospitals.