Protests against the prolonged closure of roads in Kurram district have escalated, with the sit-in at Parachinar entering its sixth day. The blockade in this tribal region has caused severe disruptions, trapping people and cutting off the area from both Pakistan and Afghanistan. Parachinar Tehsil Chairman Agha Mazmal voiced deep concerns, stating that millions of lives are now at risk due to the ongoing blockade.
Agha Mazmal expressed frustration over the situation, emphasizing that it has been 78 days since tensions heightened, leaving Parachinar isolated from the rest of the country. He also mentioned that recent attempts to travel have resulted in fatalities, with protesters even refusing to bury two individuals killed during these journeys. The sit-in is set to continue until their demands for safe travel and the reopening of roads are met.
Also Read: Pakistan Government Takes Steps to Restore Peace in Kurram District
While a government jirga has arrived to negotiate, Mazmal issued a warning, stating that if the roads to Parachinar are not reopened within the next 72 hours, protests would intensify, with highways, motorways, airports, and train tracks across the country being blocked. He noted that solidarity protests have already begun in various regions.
Meanwhile, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government has declared a relief emergency in Kurram due to the dire law and order situation. The road closures have caused severe shortages of food, medicine, and fuel, with schools, ATMs, and businesses shut down. Hospitals are running critically low on medical supplies, with over 50 children reportedly dying due to lack of treatment.
