KARACHI:
Philanthropist Faisal Edhi has urged the government to take appropriate measures to resolve the crisis in Kurram district, warning that it may lead to unrest across the country.
He made this statement while addressing members of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) at the HRCP office in Karachi on Friday.
Faisal expressed concern over the seriousness of the situation and said that if proper records were kept, it would reveal that more than a hundred children have already died due to the ongoing conflict.
He stressed that the situation is serious, with no medications available for patients with cancer or brain hemorrhage.
He noted that there is also a serious shortage of oxygen and insulin, even in private hospitals, and medical procedures and operations have been suspended since the conflict began.
“CT scans and X-ray machines no longer work and people die every day.”
Faisal Edhi shared that through its limited efforts, the foundation has been transferring patients to Peshawar and delivering essential items to the needy.
He criticized both the federal and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) governments for their lack of interest in addressing the crisis, accusing them of focusing instead on organizing and disrupting political processions in Islamabad.
Edhi said the conflict started as a land dispute and could be resolved if dedicated people made sincere efforts. However, the situation has degenerated into a sectarian conflict and propaganda has been spread against the foundation’s humanitarian work.
“Despite this, the Edhi Foundation continues to serve humanity without taking sides,” he added.
He recounted visits to hospitals in the affected areas, where medicines were delivered and he witnessed the devastating impact of the crisis. He warned that if the conflict is not resolved, unrest could spread throughout the country.
HRCP Secretary General Haris Khalique added that such conflicts are symptomatic of a colonial-style system of governance and can only be resolved through a truly democratic regime. He stressed that the crisis must be treated as a humanitarian issue and resolved through serious negotiations in Peshawar and Islamabad.
The HRCP has called on the State to urgently protect lives in Kurram district, locate and hold accountable the perpetrators of the violence and involve all stakeholders in negotiations to end the conflict.
CPDH Vice President Sindh Qazi Khizer noted that frequent clashes between rival tribes and sects have effectively isolated the district due to roadblocks and suspension of cellular services.
These measures have consistently failed to provide relief and have instead cut off residents’ access to food, fuel, and medical supplies. Schools have been forced to close intermittently and several deaths have occurred due to a lack of timely medical care for the sick and elderly.
