K-P launches Kurram-Peshawar helicopter service amid tensions

Due to the ongoing tensions in Kurram district, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has launched a helicopter service to facilitate travel to and from Peshawar.

A statement issued by the press secretary of the Chief Minister of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa stated that, on the instructions of Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, a helicopter service was initiated to ease the travel difficulties caused by the tensions in Kurram.

The statement further mentioned that yesterday, the provincial government's MI-17 helicopter made two flights from Peshawar to Kurram, transporting 53 people from Parachinar to Peshawar, including 14 patients, Express News reported.

It was also noted that today, the first flight of the helicopter carried 16 people, including tribal elders and government staff, from Parachinar, while the second flight transferred 27 people from Parachinar to Tall.

The statement added that a third flight would carry people stranded in Tall to Parachinar, and a total of five flights are planned for today, with over 100 people to be transferred.

Additionally, under the special instructions of the Chief Minister, the helicopter service is also delivering essential medicines to the region. Yesterday, 1,850 kilograms of medicines, valued at 12 million rupees, were delivered to Parachinar.

The statement also mentioned that, following the Chief Minister's instructions, a total of seven helicopter flights have been made to deliver medicines to Kurram, with more than 60 million rupees worth of supplies sent.

Referring to Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, the statement noted that the provincial government is fully aware of the difficulties faced by the people of Kurram and is using all available resources to alleviate their problems.

According to the statement, Ali Amin Gandapur stated that serious efforts are being made for lasting peace in Kurram and to find permanent solutions to the challenges faced by the people.

Earlier efforts by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government to establish peace in Kurram have faced a temporary setback as one side of the jirga requested two days for consultations.

Consequently, proceedings of the jirga have been halted for this duration. The provincial government's nominated head of the Kurram jirga, K-P Adviser on Information, Barrister Dr Saif, stated that one party in the Kurram dispute sought two days for consultation, which the jirga members granted after mutual agreement.

Meanwhile, the main highway in Kurram District remains closed for the 73rd consecutive day due to the ongoing unrest, prompting citizens to hold a sit-in. Protesters claim that the residents of Parachinar are now on the verge of starvation.

According to details, the roads connecting the Kurram district, near the Pak-Afghan border, to other areas have been shut down for all types of traffic and movement for 73 days.

This has completely disrupted the supply chain to Upper Kurram, leaving its approximately 400,000 residents stranded.

The road closures have resulted in severe shortages of basic necessities in the region, including food, medicine, fuel, and LPG. Supplies have been entirely exhausted.

Previously a special meeting of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's Apex Committee, chaired by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, was held to discuss the security situation in the province's Kurram district.

The meeting was attended by the Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi, Corps Commander Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa IGP, chief secretary, and other senior civil and military officials. The current situation in Kurram District was reviewed in detail.

According to the apex committee, challenges will remain until the bunkers are removed and weapons are collected, but the situation will improve thereafter.

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Kareem Kundi on Saturday blamed the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) provincial government for the deteriorating situation in Kurram.

Speaking to the media, he highlighted the continued closure of roads leading to Kurram despite assurances from the K-P chief minister. He criticised the provincial government for failing to deliver on its promises to reopen key routes.

Governor Kundi revealed that an apex committee meeting was convened to address the crisis. He said the death toll in Kurram had reached 200, with conditions worsening.