February 02, 2025
By Mustafa Khan
PARACHINAR
Among those suffering the Parachinar conflict, students have been undergoing immense pressure due to inaccessible of facilities, delayed exams and a complete overhaul of their educational lives.
Road closures in the Kurram district have persisted for four months now due to tribal clashes, and these severed routes have impacted all sectors, but perhaps the education sector has borne the brunt of the crisis.
Students’ lives have been paralysed thanks to continuous firing, clashes, and blocked routes. Those enrolled in domestic and even international educational institutions have been left stranded and unable to access their schools and universities.
Musaddiq Hussain from district Orakzai, who has been working as a designer in Kurram for the past year, faces a similar predicament.
“I’ve secured admission for a Master’s in Structural Engineering in Russia. I need to submit my verified documents within a week, or my admission will be cancelled,” he explains, highlighting the urgency of his situation.
Despite the introduction of helicopter services a month and a half ago, students claim they are being denied priority access.
“When students approach various offices for helicopter transport, they’re simply told they’re not a priority. It’s unfortunate that our elders and officials say they can’t prioritize students for helicopter services. We request our tribal elders and administration to give first priority to students,” the student leader urged.
Teachers report that students from Kurram have been unable to secure admissions in medical and engineering colleges this year. The tribal conflicts and road closures have significantly disrupted the academic year, leading students to question when peace will return to Kurram.
According to district administration officials, various measures are being taken to ensure students can attend their institutions and access Peshawar, including helicopter services and convoy arrangements.
However, the situation continues to remain critical, with no immediate solution in sight for the affected students whose academic futures hang in the balance.
The crisis highlights the broader impact of regional conflicts on education and the urgent need for authorities to prioritize students’ access to educational institutions, particularly in conflict-affected areas where academic opportunities are already limited.