Kurram in distress

Kurram District of K-P continues to grapple with an escalating humanitarian crisis despite a fragile ceasefire being in place. The Thall-Parachinar Road, the main artery connecting the district to the rest of Pakistan, is being avoided due to lingering fears and news of sporadic attacks along the route, leaving the region effectively cut off for over two months. This isolation has had catastrophic consequences, including the tragic deaths of 50 children due to the unavailability of medical supplies and other essentials.

Siege-like conditions in Parachinar and surrounding areas have turned the district into a humanitarian black hole while the state appears lax in its response. The apex committee's decision to send police and Frontier Corps convoys to secure this vital route has yet to materialise. This delay has allowed the humanitarian crisis to deepen, leaving thousands stranded without access to essential goods and medical aid. Similarly, the promises of air ambulances by federal and provincial governments have remained unfulfilled, further compounding the suffering of the people. This inertia in implementing previously pledged measures is indefensible and these lapses in governance have brought the region to the brink of a disaster.

The call to dismantle bunkers and de-weaponise the region is undoubtedly a crucial step toward long-term peace. However, disarmament is a complex undertaking, especially in a culture where carrying weapons is deeply ingrained. Time for deliberation has long passed. Reopening the Thall-Parachinar Road is non-negotiable - even if it requires heavy handedness. The immediate deployment of security forces is essential to restore the flow of humanitarian aid and medical supplies. Additionally, the mobilisation of air ambulances must be prioritised to address urgent medical needs for the critically ill. The cycle of violence in Kurram cannot be broken through temporary ceasefires alone. In the long term, all stakeholders must work towards achieving permanent peace.