People of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kurram were still deprived of basic commodities and medicines as the relief goods truck which was scheduled to supply items to the district on Monday could not reach.

At least 80 trucks laden with food and medicines were readied for the area. According to reports by midnight, it was still in Tehsil Tall. Officials have assured that the relief convoy “will soon be sent to Parachinar.”

Meanwhile, the district administration confirmed the arrest of three elders—Syed Rahman, Saifullah, and Karim Khan—for their failure to sign the peace agreement.

The district administration added that it would ensure the implementation of the decisions made by the apex committee to restore order and facilitate relief efforts in the region.

The provincial government has announced that a curfew would be imposed in sensitive areas to ensure the supply of essential goods and the arrival of a convoy in the area. Reports said the protest in Parachinar has been called off and participants have cleared the road for traffic.

The traders association president claimed that the convoy contained goods solely from the trading community. “While the government considers this as a relief convoy, not a single vehicle belongs to the government.”

The KP government has announced that it would hold tribal elders accountable following the attack on the DC’s convoy in Kurramt. The elders who signed the peace agreement have been instructed to hand over the perpetrators of the January 4 attack and their accomplices. “Failure to comply will result in further actions.”

According to the government statement, there would be an action against the suspects, with enhanced security measures being implemented on the Tall-Parachinar road and on the Tor Owerai and Shishu roads.

The provincial government has mandated that all forms of compensation and assistance in the area of the incident would be suspended until the criminals are handed over. “Action would be taken against government employees who support sectarian discord.”

It warned that if law and order was not maintained, the government would deal “firmly with troublemakers” and those disturbing the peace. “If the individuals involved in the January 4 incident are not handed over to the government, severe measures will be taken at the site of the occurrence.”

Curfew to be imposed

The provincial government has announced that a curfew will be imposed in Kurram when relief convoys are transported to the district.

Any individual found carrying weapons would be considered a terrorist, according to a statement. In case of further violations or lack of cooperation regarding the handover of criminals, a clearance operation would be conducted. “If necessary, the area of the incident will be relocated to ensure safety.”

Bounties would be announced for various wanted militants. “The DPO will be provided with anti-riot gear, female police officers, and the necessary resources.”

Police would remove any illegal roadblocks or crowds on the Tall-Parachinar road and the required number of police personnel would be allocated for security, said the statement. Other law enforcement agencies, including the Frontier Corps, would be deployed as needed to assist the police.

More to follow…