The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet decided on Monday to establish a special police force to restore the Kurram land route and take action against those spreading sectarian hatred.
In a cabinet meeting, it was agreed that measures would be taken against individuals inciting sectarian discord in the tribal district, with the Federal Investigation Agency tasked with identifying all relevant social media accounts.
To ensure the route’s safety, as many as “399 police personnel will be recruited as part of the special police force aimed at restoring the Kurram ground route.”
Officials briefed CM Gandapur on the Kurram situation and the provincial government’s efforts to address various issues. It was reported that multiple jirgas have been held at different levels to find a sustainable solution to the problem.
“Approximately 10 tons of medicines” have been delivered via helicopter to address the shortage in the area, officials said.
Furthermore, they added that wheat was being provided at discounted rates to ensure the availability of food grains in the region. Payments have also been made to compensate for the human and financial losses incurred in the area.
Officials stated that a helicopter service has been initiated to resolve transportation issues faced by the local population, transporting 220 individuals within two days.
“The government will not compromise on its authority to ensure the safety of the lives and property of the people in the area,” KP CM Gandapur stated and clarified that no decision has been made regarding operations in Tirah and Janikhel.
Meanwhile, Adviser to the KP Chief Minister on Information Muhammad Ali Saif Saif said that the cabinet has approved declaring Kurram a “disaster area,” which allows for the legal authorisation of emergency relief activities.
According to Saif, the provincial government has directed relevant authorities to expedite relief operations. “The emergency response includes ensuring the supply of medicines and food items, as some private media channels have been misrepresenting the situation.”
He emphasised that the relief emergency encompasses the provision of medications, food, and transportation via air service and that relief activities would continue until the situation in the district stabilises.
Saif added that financial assistance for individuals affected by the tensions in the area would continue.
Earlier, during the cabinet meeting, Gandapur said that the people of the area desire peace, but “certain elements are attempting to exacerbate the situation through sectarian hatred.”
He claimed that such elements created a “misleading narrative” to alter the perception of the problem, pointing out the excessive presence of illegal heavy weapons in the region.
“There is no justification for possessing such heavy arms and constructing fortifications,” he said, “the government has no policy permitting any armed group to hold illegal heavy weapons.”
The KP chief minister reiterated that the provincial government was making every effort to find a peaceful resolution to the issue through negotiations and jirgas.
The humanitarian crisis in the Kurram district worsened as road closures reached 76 days on Monday, impacting residents’ access to essential commodities, including food, medicine, and fuel.
The main Kurram-Peshawar road remains shut due to security concerns, prompting locals to stage a four-day sit-in at the Parachinar Press Club, demanding the reopening of routes.
Kurram Deputy Commissioner Javidullah Mehsud affirmed that the closures “are necessary for security reasons.”
Recent tribal clashes have resulted in over 200 fatalities since July, leading to governmental efforts to restore peace, including the dismantling of private bunkers in the region.
As the closures persist, approximately 400,000 residents in Upper Kurram have been cut off from the rest of the country.
Daily life has been disrupted, with schools shutting down, ATMs running out of cash, and local businesses closing due to supply shortages.
In response to the dire situation, the Edhi Foundation is conducting three flights daily to deliver medical supplies and transport patients.
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Reports indicate that at least 30 children have died due to a lack of medical care, although local activists claim the actual number is higher.
To alleviate the crisis, the provincial government has launched a helicopter service, successfully airlifting 200 individuals, including patients and government officials, in recent days.
The service has also delivered significant quantities of medical supplies worth millions to the area.
As winter exacerbates the humanitarian plight, residents continue to call for immediate action to address their critical needs.
