Kurram residents concerned over closure of roads, lawlessness

PARACHINAR: The main roads and link routes remained closed for the eighth consecutive day on Saturday due to security concerns following incidents of gunfire in Kurram tribal district.

The closure of roads have also caused shortages of essential food items, oil, and medicines in the district.

At least 15 persons were killed and many injured in an attack on vehicles in a government convoy a week ago. Following the incident, main roads including the Parachinar-Peshawar highway and other travel routes were closed due to security threats.

On Thursday, armed motorcyclists attacked residents in the Shingak area, killing two and injuring seven. In retaliation, three of the attackers were shot dead.

The people of Parachinar and its surrounding areas along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border are facing the worst kind of situation due to the closure of roads. The blockade of roads has also created an acute shortage of food items, medicines and fuel.

Also, the local residents staged a protest over the death of the six-year-old child Syed Shah due to the unavailability of medical treatment. They said that many other patients referred to Peshawar and other hospitals were in a critical condition.

The district administration and relevant authorities, elders from the Turi tribe, including Jalal Hussain and Allama Tajammul Hussain, said that the continuous road blockade was unacceptable to them.

They urged the government to reopen the roads and ensure safety to passengers and motorists.

Meanwhile, Bangash tribal elders Malik Fakhar Zaman and Saleem Khan also demanded immediate measures to restore peace.

The elders criticised the authorities for not taking any steps to secure these routes. They urged high-ups to reopen the roads and ensure the safety of passengers and motorists on these routes

Deputy Commissioner Javedullah Mahsud said that around 100 persons had been arrested in connection with recent shooting incidents.

He said that efforts were being made to restore lasting peace through negotiations with elders from both sides, facilitated by peace committee members from Orakzai and Hangu districts.

The clashes over land disputes have been a longstanding issue in the region, often resulting in loss of lives and disruptions to daily life.

Local elders and political figures have urged for a peaceful resolution to the conflicts and stressed the need for restoration of lasting peace in the region.