March 12, 2025
Mateen Ali
PARACHINAR:
The sit-in outside Parachinar Press Club has entered its 11th day, led by local elders and community leaders, including Malik Zartaj and Musarat Bangash. Protesters are demanding the reopening of the main Parachinar road, which has been closed for five months, cutting off access to essential supplies and medical services for over 500,000 residents in Upper and Lower Kurram.
Reasons behind the sit-in
The protest stems from prolonged road closure and worsening security situation in the district. The main Parachinar road is a critical route, and its blockade has left villages isolated, causing severe shortages of food and medical supplies. The closure has also hindered economic activities, increasing hardships for the local population.
Authorities shut down the main Parachinar road after escalated attacks on convoys amid the rising sectarian conflict. A peace agreement was signed earlier this year in January between the warring factions. However, the agreement was breached several. Security forces launched operations in troubled areas to dismantle militant strongholds and enforce the peace agreement. A curfew has been imposed in some regions, and attempts to send aid convoys have been made to deliver food and medical supplies
Protesters’ demands
Protesters are calling for the immediate reopening of the Parachinar road, the enhanced security for travelers, enforcement of the January peace agreement, which has reportedly been violated multiple times and the release of Tehsil Chairman Agha Muzammil Hussain who was arrested under section 144 while protesting against the security situation and road closure.
Security situation remains dire
In a recent ambush, three security personnel were martyred and four others injured in the Takre Patti Chinarak area of Central Kurram, on Sunday, highlighting the persistent threat posed by militants. Meanwhile, a three week old attack on a convoy near Lower Kurram left one dead and six injured. Authorities have intensified operations to dismantle illegal bunkers and strongholds which are present in various locations across the district, including some in close proximity to the main Parachinar road.