Protests in Parachinar: Road Closures Cause Hardships in Kurram District

In the Kurram district of Pakistan, protests against road closures have intensified, with a sit-in at Parachinar entering its sixth day. The main Kachehri Road in front of the Press Club remains blocked, effectively isolating the tribal headquarters. Agha Mazmal, Parachinar Tehsil Chairman, highlighted the severe hardships faced by residents, stating, "We are unable to travel to either Pakistan or Afghanistan."

He noted that tensions have persisted for nearly 78 days, with Parachinar cut off from the rest of the country. Attempts to travel have resulted in fatalities, and two individuals who died during protests have yet to be buried. Agha Mazmal emphasized that the protest will continue until the roads are reopened and secured.

A government jirga is currently in discussions with the protesters. Agha Mazmal warned that if the roads are not reopened within 72 hours, protests could spread nationwide, affecting highways, motorways, airports, and train tracks.

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has declared a relief emergency in Kurram due to ongoing law and order issues. The provincial cabinet has approved relief payments for those killed or injured. Road closures have led to severe shortages of essential goods, including food, medicine, and fuel. Schools in Upper Kurram are closed, ATMs are out of cash, and businesses have shut down. Hospitals face critical medicine shortages, resulting in numerous deaths, including over 50 children.