PARACHINAR – Security forces and the local administration in Lower Kurram initiated the demolition of bunkers following a peace agreement reached to restore stability in the district.
Joint Operations in Khar Killay and Balishkhel
The joint operation, involving police, security forces, and local authorities, targeted bunkers in Khar Killay and Balishkhel. Explosives were used to dismantle the fortifications, while aerial support from gunship helicopters provided security oversight. These actions align with clause 12 of the 14-point peace agreement signed in Kohat, which mandated the removal of bunkers to promote peace and security.
Residents Call for Reopening Roads
Despite the progress in dismantling bunkers, residents of Parachinar expressed frustration over the continued closure of transportation routes, which has led to a severe shortage of essential goods and medicines.
Social activist Mir Afzal Khan criticized the delay in reopening roads two weeks after the peace deal was signed. He urged the government to implement the agreement fully and resume transportation to ease hardships in Upper Kurram.
“The prolonged road closure is exacerbating the problems of local communities,” he stated.
Tribal elder Jalal Bangash echoed these sentiments, calling on authorities to uphold all provisions of the agreement, particularly those ensuring safe passage and connectivity for residents.
Healthcare Crisis
The road blockade has also resulted in a healthcare emergency at the District Headquarters Hospital in Parachinar, where doctors reported severe shortages of medicines and medical supplies.
At a press conference, members of the Young Doctors Association, including Dr Zulfiqar Ali, Dr Qaiser, Dr Shehzad, and others, described the dire situation:
- Critically ill patients cannot be transported to Peshawar due to the blocked roads.
- Private hospitals have shut down, exacerbating the medical crisis.
Dr Zulfiqar appealed to UNICEF, the World Health Organization, and other national and international organizations for urgent intervention to restore supply lines for food and medicine.
Conclusion
While the demolition of bunkers marks a significant step in enforcing the peace agreement, the continued road closures highlight the pressing need for swift governmental action to alleviate humanitarian suffering in Kurram. Residents and healthcare professionals await the full implementation of measures promised in the agreement to restore normalcy.
