Parachinar explosions: Protesters demand assistance for blast victims

Say the injured are being treated with the help of non-governmental organisations.

PARACHINAR: After the twin explosions that killed at least 57 people and injured more than a hundred in a busy market place in Parachinar on Friday, tribesmen launched a protest demanding aid for the families of the victims.

Led by Maulana Ahmad Rohani, Maulana Sabtain, Maulana Munir Hussain, Mansab Ali and protesters from Madrassa Ayatullah Khamenei, demonstrators marched towards Shaheed Park shouting slogans against the political administration (PA).

In his address to the crowd, Maulana Sabtain said the tribesmen were once again being ignored. “We were isolated for five years but we still fought against all odds,” he said, adding the administration has failed to protect the people of Parachinar. “We have been suffering and have been targeted multiple times in recent months.”



Criticising the emergency services, Sabtain said after the explosion, the wounded were taken to hospitals on carts. “The injured are being treated by the aid of non-governmental organisations working in the agency. If the administration cannot assist tribesmen in such times, they should not expect any loyalty in return,” Sabtain said demanding the PA to provide aid packages and compensation to the victims of sectarian violence.

Two suicide bombers walked into the crowded market in the main town of Kurram tribal agency and detonated before Iftar. The attack was stated to be one of the deadliest in the country this year.

Earlier, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Shaukatullah Khan announced Rs300,000 each for the families of the deceased and Rs100,000 for the injured.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 29^th, 2013.