Due to the current tensions in Kurram district, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has launched a helicopter service to facilitate travel to and from Peshawar.
A statement issued by the press secretary of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister stated that on the instructions of Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, a helicopter service has been started to ease travel difficulties caused by tensions in Kurram.
The statement further mentioned that yesterday, the provincial government’s MI-17 helicopter made two flights from Peshawar to Kurram, ferrying 53 people from Parachinar to Peshawar, including 14 patients, Express News reported.
It was also noted that today, the first flight of the helicopter carried 16 people, including tribal elders and government staff, from Parachinar, while the second flight carried 27 people from Parachinar to Tall.
The statement added that a third flight will transport people stranded in Tall to Parachinar, and a total of five flights are planned for today, with more than 100 people to be transferred.
Furthermore, under special instructions of the Chief Minister, the helicopter service is also delivering essential medicines to the region. Yesterday, 1,850 kilograms of medicines, valued at Rs 12 million, were delivered to Parachinar.
The statement also mentioned that on the instructions of the Chief Minister, a total of seven helicopter flights have been carried out to deliver medicines to Kurram, and supplies worth over Rs 60 million have been sent.
Referring to Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, the statement noted that the provincial government is fully aware of the difficulties faced by the people of Kurram and is using all available resources to alleviate their problems.
According to the statement, Ali Amin Gandapur stated that serious efforts are being made to achieve lasting peace in Kurram and find permanent solutions to the challenges faced by the people.
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government’s earlier efforts to establish peace in Kurram have faced a temporary setback when one side of the jirga requested two days for consultations.
Consequently, jirga performances have been suspended during this time. The appointed head of the Kurram jirga by the provincial government, information advisor of the KP, lawyer Dr Saif, stated that one of the parties in the Kurram dispute requested two days for consultations, which the jirga members granted after a mutual agreement.
Meanwhile, the main road in Kurram district remains closed for the 73rd consecutive day due to ongoing unrest, prompting citizens to stage a sit-in. Protesters claim that residents of Parachinar are now on the brink of starvation.
According to details, the roads connecting Kurram district, near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, with other areas have been closed to all types of traffic and movement for 73 days.
This has completely disrupted the supply chain to Upper Kurram, leaving its approximately 400,000 residents stranded.
Road closures have caused severe shortages of essential goods in the region, including food, medicine, fuel and LPG. Supplies have completely run out.
Earlier, a special meeting of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Supreme Committee, chaired by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, was held to discuss the security situation in Kurram district of the province.
The meeting was attended by Federal Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Peshawar Corps Commander, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa IGP, Chief Secretary and other senior civil and military officials. The current situation in Kurram district was reviewed in detail.
According to the top committee, challenges will persist until the bunkers are removed and weapons collected, but the situation will improve thereafter.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Kareem Kundi on Saturday blamed the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) provincial government for the deteriorating situation in Kurram.
Speaking to the media, he highlighted the continued closure of roads leading to Kurram despite assurances from the KP chief minister. He criticized the provincial government for failing to deliver on its promises to reopen key routes.
Governor Kundi revealed that a high committee meeting has been called to address the crisis. He said the death toll in Kurram had reached 200 and conditions were worsening.
