Road closures in Kurram worsen public hardships

PARACHINAR: The prolonged closure of roads in Kurram district has exacerbated public suffering, with citizens deprived of essential food supplies and medical treatment for over five and a half months.

In response, residents continue their sit-in protests in Parachinar and Bagan, demanding immediate action from authorities. Addressing the protest outside Parachinar Press Club, social activist Musarrat Bangash and tribal leader Malik Zartaj stated that the blockade has deprived people of food and medical facilities, escalating their hardships. As a result, protesters have been forced to hold their sit-ins while observing sehr and iftar on the streets during Ramazan. According to local sources, authorities had earlier announced the arrangement of a convoy on March 25 to facilitate the transport of essential goods, including poultry, fruits, and vegetables. However, the failure to organize the convoy has left traders and residents in distress, with perishable items rotting in vehicles stranded at Tall. Additionally, drivers face difficulties in arranging meals for sehr and iftar while waiting on the roads. Meanwhile, residents of Bagan in the lower part of Kurram are also staging a protest by blocking the main road. They are demanding a relief package for displaced persons and action against elements responsible for ongoing violence in the area. According to the district administration, security operations in Bagan over the past week led to the demolition of houses belonging to commander Kazim and his facilitators, along with 30 other structures. Additionally, 80pc of bunkers have been dismantled in compliance with the peace agreement.­