Alleged favouritism: Traders halt convoy to Lower Kurram in protest

PARACHINAR: A convoy of more than 40 vehicles carrying food and essential goods to Lower Kurram was stopped by traders in protest, preventing its movement to Parachinar.The traders expressed frustration over alleged favouritism in selecting vehicles for the convoy, claiming that influential people were given priority over genuine shopkeepers and merchants.

According to the district administration, over 40 small and large vehicles carrying vegetables, fruits, and other daily-use items reached Lower Kurram from Thall in Hangu. However, traders and citizens argued that a convoy of 40 to 50 vehicles per week was insufficient for a population of hundreds of thousands. They demanded that normal traffic movement should be restored to ensure a steady supply of goods.

A trader Haji Rauf claimed that instead of prioritizing genuine shopkeepers and traders, influential people were filling their trucks with goods, many of which later disappeared into hoarding, worsening the crisis.

He added that the vehicles of the traders got stuck on the Thall-Kohat road for months, forcing them to take this extreme measure of blocking the convoy from proceeding to Parachinar.Rauf warned if vehicles of traders and essential medical supplies were not included in the official convoys, they would launch a shutdown strike in Parachinar. The traders vowed to continue their protest until their own loaded trucks were allowed entry into Kurram district.

Social activist Syed Makhdum Shah also voiced concern over the alleged misuse of the helicopter service, claiming that instead of prioritizing critical patients and overseas travelers, influential people were benefiting from it. He urged the authorities to establish a transparent system for listing those in genuine need of the service.

Meanwhile, the authorities said efforts were being made to provide relief to people. They said four more bunkers were demolished in Kurram, bringing the total number bunkers to 26.