Protests continue in Kurram over security concerns

PARACHINAR: Residents of Parachinar and Bagan continue their sit-in protests, demanding peace in Kurram district, reopening of blocked roads, and relief packages for those affected by terrorism.

The prolonged closure of routes has led to severe shortages of food and essential supplies, further worsening the hardships of the local population during the holy month. Due to security concerns and frequent incidents of gunfire, the main highway, the Afghan border crossings, and other transportation routes have remained closed for over five and a half months. As a result, more than a hundred villages, including the district headquarters Parachinar, have been cut off, affecting hundreds of thousands of residents.

Member of the Provincial Assembly, Ali Hadi Irfani, said that food and essential supplies were transported via convoy only once every 10 days, which is insufficient for the large population. He urged authorities to fully reopen the main highway for regular transportation.

A sit-in protest is currently underway outside the Parachinar Press Club. Addressing the protest, leaders including Malik Zartaj, Musarrat Bangash, and Mahir Hassan criticized the authorities for failing to clear a few kilometers of road, leaving the local population trapped and struggling for basic necessities. The protesters demanded a “martyr package” for the families of over 500 people who have lost their lives due to a lack of medical access caused by road closures. They also called for compensation for the owners of trucks that were looted and burned in Bagan.

Simultaneously, protests in Bagan are also ongoing, where demonstrators have blocked the main road, demanding relief for the affected families and strict action against those responsible for the violence.