January 10, 2025
By Mustafa Khan
PARACHINAR
Residents report that a convoy delivering food supplies to Kurram’s district capital fell significantly short of meeting the needs of the hundreds of thousands affected by a three-month blockade.
For nearly 100 days, the residents of Kurram district have been grappling with severe difficulties due to the closure of roads and transportation routes. This blockade has disrupted every aspect of daily life, and the situation has worsened with a rise in deaths, including among children, caused by the lack of medical treatment.
The district’s capital, Parachinar, has been at the heart of these challenges. Following a series of violent tribal clashes, both the main highway and other access routes have been blocked for almost three months, severely affecting the livelihoods of residents.
According to citizens, while some trucks carrying supplies were able to reach the area on January 8, the amount of goods was far from sufficient for the needs of a population of hundreds of thousands.
They have also emphasized that, beyond food, other essential supplies like liquified petroleum gas (LPG) should be provided to ensure basic survival.
‘No table salt in Parachinar’
Tasdeeq Hussain, a resident, expressed concern over the ongoing shortages. “You won’t find chicken, fresh vegetables, cooking oil, sugar, and even table salt in the bazaars,” he told Voicepk.
Being a heart patient Hussain was not able to secure his medications for the ailment. The prolonged blockade could not result in deaths of elderly patients with heart, diabetes, and chronic diseases, he added.
No fuel, cooking oil in convoy
Journalist Muhammad Bashir noted that the tribal clashes since July last year claimed hundreds of lives and displaced a similar number in the district. “People are fed up with the violence in the district,” he said.
The government managed to send a convoy of supplies of food but it did not contain essentials like LPG, petrol, diesel, and cooking oil which exacerbated the situation in Parachinar facing a three-month road blockade, he added. Bashir called on the government to regularly send convoys to replenish supplies in the city.
Non-residents employees stranded
Muhammad Mubashir, a school principal, is stranded in Parachinar due to the blockade and is unable to visit his hometown of Wah in Punjab during the winter vacations. “Similarly, many people who work in Parachinar have not been able to reunite with their families living in other cities,” he added.
He appealed to the provincial government to expedite the opening of roads in Kurram to ease travel restrictions faced by scores of non-resident employees in the district.
Missed job opportunities
Hamid Hussain, a retired non-commissioned officer, noted that the government opened recruitment for former army servicemen who would be deployed for the security of highway routes in the district.
“The recruitment centre in Kohat is taking applications since January 8 but unfortunately eligible residents are not able to go there because of the road blockade leading to loss of job opportunities,” he told Voicepk.
He further highlighted the deepening distress, particularly as the blockade affected access to food, necessities, and medical supplies.
Medical crisis
One of the most pressing concerns is the scarcity of medical supplies. Local doctors report that the cold weather is exacerbating various diseases, particularly respiratory illnesses, but the absence of medication and essential treatments has led to a noticeable increase in fatalities.
Dr Waqar Hussain, a pediatric specialist, confirmed that the lack of medicines is contributing to an alarming rise in child mortality, with no clear solution in sight. “The medical stores don’t have stocks of essential anti-biotics drugs,” he revealed.
Moen Hussain, President of the Medical Stores Association, and a local pharmacy owner, expressed frustration over the shortage of essential drugs and said that the situation has become increasingly difficult for both healthcare providers and the general population.
More convoys in coming days
In response to the crisis, Deputy Commissioner Ashfaq Khan acknowledged the challenges faced by the residents and highlighted that the resumption of supply deliveries after a prolonged period of unrest is a positive step.
He assured that steps would be taken to ensure the reopening of roads and the restoration of peace in the area. The district administration is committed to addressing these concerns and has pledged to take every possible action to bring normalcy back to the region.
The people of Kurram, who have borne the brunt of this ongoing unrest, have urged the district administration and relevant authorities to prioritize peacekeeping efforts.
They are also calling for the restoration of transportation routes to facilitate the movement of goods and people, emphasizing that ensuring both supply lines and mobility are essential for the survival of the population in this difficult period.
The blockade in Kurram District has plunged the area into a humanitarian crisis, with food and medical shortages further deepening the misery of residents. As the authorities work to restore normalcy, it is crucial that they address not only the logistical challenges but also the urgent health and safety needs of the population.
The people of Kurram are anxiously awaiting the resolution of these issues, hoping for the immediate reopening of transport routes and improved access to essential supplies.