Removal of bunkers in conflict-affected Kurram district will begin today (Sunday), following the directives of Deputy Commissioner Ashfaq Khan.
Kurram Deputy Commissioner Ashfaq Khan said that as per the Kohat peace agreement, all bunkers in the district will be demolished and weapons will be handed over by February 1.
He added that during the initial phase, bunkers in one village on each side will be demolished. Security personnel will accompany the teams to ensure safety during operations.
Ashfaq Khan mentioned that relief supplies would be sent after security clearance. He also noted that Section 144 continues to apply in Kurram, where sit-ins continue at three different locations.
It is worth mentioning that orders were issued yesterday for the demolition of bunkers in Kurram following decisions taken at the provincial higher committee meeting and agreements reached between the parties involved.
According to media reports, the deputy commissioner issued directives to the concerned departments to remove bunkers in Lower Kurram villages, including Kharkali and Balishkhel, and work would begin immediately.
The deputy commissioner directed the executive engineers of Upper and Lower Kurram C&W department to be present at the site with necessary equipment and workers for the demolition process.
The notification said that initially, bunkers would be removed from one village on each side. A 14-member government team will supervise the operation in both villages.
The decision to dismantle the bunkers at Kurram was taken during a high committee meeting and was included as a clause in the agreement between the parties involved.
Earlier, road closures in Kurram prevented the second convoy of trucks, carrying food and other daily items, from reaching the besieged district, where a police party came under attack, officials and local sources said on Friday.
According to the district administration, local residents had staged a sit-in at Mandori in Lower Kurram to press their demands. Due to the sit-in, the Tal-Parachinar road had been closed, he said, adding that negotiations were underway with the protest leaders in Tal Cantt for the reopening of the road.
According to Kurram police, trucks loaded with goods could not reach Upper Kurram as no clearance had been issued for the road in Lower Kurram. They added that the convoy was currently stuck at Tal in Hangu district. The convoy was expected to resume its journey on Saturday.
KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Saturday criticized the PTI-led provincial government, accusing it of incompetence in security management and governance.
Addressing a press conference at the Karachi Press Club, the KP governor claimed that the province had fallen into the hands of “incompetent individuals”, leading to widespread insecurity.
“KP has fallen into the hands of incompetent and incapable leaders. A government that is leading the province towards unrest has come to power,” Kundi said.
He added that when tourists are not allowed to visit the province it is a clear indication that the situation is deteriorating.
