KP govt launches copter service to Kurram

PESHAWAR/ PARACHINAR: The provincial government has launched a helicopter service to the Kurram district as the closure of the roads for over 75 days had exacerbated the woes of people of the volatile district.

An official communique said the government-operated helicopter provided air transport to a total of 147 people, including tribal elders, patients, students, government staff and other civilians.

In its first flight, the helicopter transported 15 individuals, including jirga members and government officials, from Peshawar to Parachinar.

The helicopter made three additional trips between Parachinar and Thall, transporting 87 people from Parachinar to Thall and 15 individuals back to Parachinar.

In its final flight on Sunday, 30 people were airlifted from Parachinar to Peshawar.

On Saturday, 53 people were transported from Parachinar to Peshawar. Over the past two days, the communique said, a total of 200 people have been airlifted by the provincial government’s helicopter service under the directive of Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur.

Moreover, to address the shortage of medicines in the area, since 4th December, the helicopter has completed seven flights, delivering medical supplies worth over Rs60 million to Kurram.

In a statement, Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur said the government was aware of the difficulties faced by the residents in Kurram due to road closures, adding that all available resources would be utilized to mitigate the sufferings of the people there.

Meanwhile, the protest sit-in being staged by the residents of Parachinar on Sunday entered its second day.

The protesters are demanding the opening of the closed roads. The prolonged road closure has created a shortage of food, medicines and fuel in Parachinar and other surrounding areas. The road was closed after an attack on a passenger vehicle and subsequent clashes in Kurram tribal district.

The residents have set up a protest camp outside the Parachinar Press Club and have stayed up despite freezing temperatures.

The daily life in Kurram has come to a standstill due to the prolonged closure of key routes, leaving the population in Parachinar and surrounding areas in dire straits.

The situation has further deteriorated as supplies of food, cooking oil, and gas have depleted. Restaurants, bakeries, and other businesses have shut down entirely, which has compounded the problems of the local people.

Addressing the protesters, Tehsil Chairman Agha Muzzammil Hussain condemned the government’s inaction and said the closure of roads had trapped people in Parachinar and nearby areas.

Meanwhile, social activist Faisal Edhi said that over 50 children had lost their lives in hospitals and health centres due to lack of medical care.

In response to the humanitarian crisis, Faisal Edhi initiated an air ambulance service to transport patients from Parachinar to Peshawar and deliver essential medicines to the affected areas.

Local officials said that negotiations were underway to reopen the routes and end the crisis.

They said that helicopters were being used to deliver medicines to Parachinar and transport critically ill patients to Peshawar.

Also, Member Provincial Assembly Ali Hadi Irfani urged the government to prioritize reopening and securing the routes and said that unnecessary decisions must be set aside.

He said the focus should be on reopening the roads to provide relief to the stranded population.

Two passengers, Ishaq Hussain and Waseem Hussain, from Parachinar were shot dead in Uchat, Bagan area of Lower Kurram, police said Sunday. A video of the murder was also released. The slain persons were trying to return to Parachinar.

MNA and parliamentary leader MWM Hameed Hussain and Tori Bangash tribal chief Jalal Hussain Bangash condemned the incident and demanded that the government arrest their killers and penalize them. They said the murders are alarming amid peacemaking efforts.