Dec 23, 2024
By Adnan Haider
PARACHINAR
According to the Edhi Foundation and government sources, a severe humanitarian crisis has developed in Kurram district, characterised by road closures, sectarian violence, and critical shortages of essential supplies.
The district has experienced significant sectarian violence this year, resulting in over 200 fatalities. The situation has been further exacerbated by a two-and-a-half-month road blockade to Parachinar, the district headquarters, leading to severe shortages of medicines, food, and other essential supplies.
Passengers killed in Kurrum
Two passengers were shot and killed in District Kurram Began Ochat area on December 22, according to police. The victims, who were residents of Parachinar, were subsequently decapitated after being killed. The passengers had been traveling from Hangu to Parachinar after becoming frustrated with a prolonged wait. Police reports indicate that the young men had paid a substantial amount of money to associates of opposing groups to ensure safe passage through their areas. Police are currently investigating the incident.
Over 50 children dead due to medicine shortage
Most tragically, 50 children have died in hospitals over the past month due to medicine shortages. The unavailability of medicines has resulted in the deaths of hundreds at both village and city levels. According to Parachinar DHQ Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Syed Mir Hassan Jan, 29 children have died at his hospital due to inadequate treatment facilities. Edhi Foundation reported that over 52 children have died so far in DHQ and other hospitals in the district. Saad Edhi confirmed that 45 critically ill children have been transferred to Peshawar for proper treatment. Two thousand kilograms of medicines have been delivered to Kurram. Other welfare organizations, including JDC Pakistan and Governor Sindh Kamran Khan Tessori, have dispatched essential medicines and food supplies to be airlifted to Kurram Agency via helicopter from Peshawar.
Social worker Yusuf Lala revealed that hundreds of families have run out of rations and are starving, but there are no supplies available in the city. Chairman of Dastarkhwan Imam Hassan, Muhammad Mehdi, reported that they provide free meals to the poor and needy daily, but their supplies have run out. Thousands of hungry people visit them daily but leave disappointed.
All public and private educational institutions in Upper Kurram have been forced to close due to fuel shortages. Public transportation has completely ceased operations. Residents faced difficulty moving between locations because of no fuel for their bikes and vehicles. Banks and ATMs in Parachinar are non-operational due to cash shortages.
Despite severe winter conditions, residents are unable to access LPG and firewood. In addition, the city is witnessing a water crisis due to the inability to operate water tankers without diesel. Most people in Parachinar rely on water tankers for drinking water, but due to the unavailability of diesel, even access to water has become a severe issue. Shahid Hussain, along with his family, had to leave Parachinar city for their village, stating, “We faced extreme difficulties due to the lack of water, so we were forced to return to the village.”
Residents hold sit-in against road closure
Residents have been staging a protest outside the Kurram Press Club for the past four days against the prolonged road closures. Children participating in the protest report that their households have exhausted their food supplies, and markets lack essential items.
According to Deputy Commissioner Kurram Javed Allah Mahsood, the provincial government is engaged in ongoing negotiations and tribal jirgas (councils) to resolve the situation, with roads to be reopened once a final decision is reached.
Residents are demanding immediate government action to reopen the roads, warning that the humanitarian crisis in Kurram could worsen significantly without swift intervention.
The provincial Apex Committee comprising military and government officials recently decided to disarm Kurram and eliminate bunkers. The road will remain closed until the area is weapon-free.