Kurram facing shortage of essentials due to road closure

PARACHINAR: The main highway in Kurram district has remained closed for over 70 days due to ongoing unrest and this has created a shortage of food and medicines.

Markets in Parachinar and surrounding areas are short of essential supplies, including food, medicine, and baby formula milk.

The road closures have led to a shortage of necessities such as sugar, milk, and gas, as well as medications. Children’s formula milk is no longer available in local markets.

Syed Tajammul Hussain, a tribal leader, warned that the people’s patience was wearing thin. “If relief is not provided and the roads are not reopened and made secure, a major humanitarian catastrophe is imminent,” he said, pointing out that students were unable to attend schools.

The Edhi Foundation has launched an air ambulance service to deliver medicine to Parachinar and transport critically ill patients to Peshawar. Faisal Edhi, head of the foundation, reported that two flights were being operated daily. During visits to various areas, Faisal Edhi assessed the hardships faced by the local population. Local authorities said that efforts were underway to resolve the crisis through negotiations aimed at reopening roads and addressing other issues.