Parachinar, January 8, 2025: The first relief convoy carrying essential food and medical supplies reached Parachinar in the restive Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after several days of uncertainty, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ashfaq Khan confirmed on Wednesday.
In a video statement, DC Khan expressed relief over the peaceful arrival of the aid convoy and urged locals to cooperate with law enforcement agencies in maintaining peace in the region.
Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, spokesperson for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, stated that the convoy of 40 vehicles carrying much-needed relief items was dispatched following successful negotiations with local protesters. He acknowledged the vital role played by the Grand Jirga, Kurram Peace Committee, and local peace bodies in facilitating the agreement.
The dispatch of the aid convoy marks a significant development after it was delayed last week due to an armed attack on Kurram’s DC Javedullah Mehsud in the Bagan area, which left five people, including the DC, injured.
Barrister Saif had earlier announced that the convoy would only proceed once conditions were deemed safe. The delay worsened an already dire humanitarian situation, with the district facing acute shortages of medicines and other essential supplies. Kurram was declared a “disaster-hit” district by the provincial government last month following tribal clashes that have claimed over 200 lives since July 2024.
Prolonged road blockades, imposed due to security concerns, have further compounded the crisis, affecting over 600,000 residents. The aid convoy was finally dispatched after a peace agreement was signed last week by the two warring tribes, aimed at restoring stability in the region.
The 14-point peace accord includes provisions for surrendering weapons, dismantling bunkers, and forming a peace implementation committee within 15 days of the agreement’s signing.
The successful delivery of aid is seen as a hopeful step toward addressing the urgent humanitarian needs of Kurram’s residents and ensuring long-term peace in the region.Bottom of Form
