Muzaffar Khan
Residents of Pakistan administered Gilgit Baltistan staged a mass protest against the ongoing violence, killings, and road blockades in Pakistan’s Parachinar, in Kurram District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The WTV reported that the protest comes as tensions in the region continue to escalate, with residents demanding immediate government intervention to address the humanitarian crisis caused by the ongoing violence and the prolonged blockade.
The protesters have voiced their frustration over the government’s failure to reopen key roads that have been blocked for months. The road blockages have created severe shortages of food, medicine, and other essential goods, plunging the region into a deep crisis. The lack of access to basic necessities has exacerbated the suffering of residents, particularly in the wake of continuous violence in the area, as reported by WTV.
A resident of Parachinar, speaking at the protest, said, “Those who want peace in Parachinar should join the protest. Until our demands are met, we will not stop. The government needs to listen to the voices of the people.”
The protestors also criticised the government’s policy of de-weaponization, expressing deep scepticism about its effectiveness. “De-weaponization works in areas where there is trust in the government,” one protestor remarked. “But here, how can we trust the government when it is not even providing basic security and necessities?”
Despite the government’s assertions of a de-weaponization policy, many in Parachinar remain unconvinced, fearing that without addressing the root causes of violence and ensuring the reopening of vital roads, the situation will continue to deteriorate.
As the protests spread to other regions, including Gilgit, the message is clear: until the people of Parachinar receive justice and their demands are met, the protests will continue. Residents are determined to keep the pressure on the government to end the blockade and restore peace in the region.
The situation in Parachinar remains dire, and without immediate action, the humanitarian crisis is expected to worsen.
The situation in Parachinar remains dire and without immediate action, the humanitarian crisis is expected to worsen.
The ongoing sit-in on Main Kutchery Road in front of the Press Club in Parachinar has now entered its sixth day. Parachinar
Tehsil Chairman Agha Muzammil stressed that the tribal headquarters is effectively under siege. Public opinion says we are unable to travel for days.
People are stranded here, and it seems that no one understands the dire situation facing millions of people at this time.
It has been almost 78 days since the recent escalation of tension, and Parachinar is isolated from the rest of the country. Anyone who tries to travel outside the need is killed. The public further says that we could not even bury two of our people who died while trying to travel in protest,
Agha Muzammil reportedly asserted that their protest will continue until the issue is resolved. A big jirga has arrived from the government and talks are underway. We are demanding that the roads be reopened and made safe for travel, no matter what the circumstances. They warned that if the roads are not reopened, they will not remain silent, and the protest may spread across the country.
They added that they have informed the government that if the roads are not reopened within the next 72 hours, they will block highways, motorways, airports and train tracks across the country.
During the recent cabinet meeting, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government declared a relief emergency due to the ongoing law and order situation in Kurram district.
Issues The provincial cabinet reviewed the security situation and the overall situation in Kurram.
Official sources confirmed that the cabinet has approved the declaration of a relief emergency in Kurram district. Relief payments for those killed or injured in Kurram have already been processed. The closure of roads in the area has led to a severe shortage of essential commodities, including food, medicines, fuel and LPG, supplies of which have completely run out. All government and private schools in Upper have been closed due to fuel shortage. ATMs are out of cash, adding to the hardships of residents. Hotels, bakeries, vegetable and fruit shops have also been forced to close.
Border officials have reported that there is no movement at this location.
Hospitals are facing a severe shortage of medicines, as a result of which many patients, including more than 50 children, have died. The government should take the people into confidence, consider their demands and end the protest to provide a comfortable life to the people.
