Main road to Parachinar partially reopens

PARACHINAR: The main road to Parachinar in Kurram district partially resumed on Friday, bringing relief to the local population.

The route is now open daily from 9 am to 3 pm, allowing limited movement and reducing some of the difficulties residents have been facing.For months, the people of Kurram have suffered due to security-related incidents that disrupted normal life and led to the complete closure of key routes. However, with recent peace agreements among various local tribes and communities, the situation is slowly returning to normal. Travel between towns has resumed, though commuters to Parachinar are still relying on alternative roads instead of the main highway.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Amir Nawaz said that although the main road was officially open during designated hours, residents were hesitant to use it due to lingering fear and mistrust following previous violence.

He added that authorities plan to gradually extend the travel hours as peace stabilises.Social activist Musarrat Bangash stressed the need to fully secure the main road and reopen it for regular use to restore public confidence. Trader representative Haji Imdad said that the closure of roads forced traders to pay double transport costs to bring essential goods, leading to increased prices of food and supplies, which has deeply impacted local residents.

Tribal leaders Haji Saleem Khan and Agha Tajammul Hussain called for unity and urged everyone - especially the youth - to play an active role in maintaining peace in the region.Sajid Turi, former federal minister and senior PPP leader, encouraged all community stakeholders to fully support ongoing peace efforts to ensure long-term stability.