Protest in Parachinar enters 5th day against road blockades

PARACHINAR: The protest sit-in Parachinar continued for the fifth consecutive day on Thursday to demand the reopening of blocked roads and emergency aid for the besieged.

The participants of the sit-in, staged outside the Parachinar Press Club, said that around 500,000 people have been trapped in the region for the past five months. The blockade has led to severe shortages of food and medical supplies, with residents struggling to find even basic items like dates and bread for Sehr and Iftar during Ramazan.

Addressing the protesters, social activist Musarrat Bangash, Malik Zartaj, Inayat Hussain, Allama Muhammad Hussain and other speakers urged authorities to resolve the crisis immediately by reopening the roads and providing an emergency relief package. They also demanded that the over 500 people who have died due to lack of medical treatment be granted the status of martyrs and their families compensated accordingly.

Meanwhile, protests are also underway in Bagan in Lower Kurram, where citizens are demanding relief and action against elements responsible for spreading unrest in the area. Addressing the gathering, leaders including Gul Khan and Muhammad Gul emphasized the need for immediate assistance for affected families.