The prolonged closure of the Parachinar-Peshawar road, now exceeding 70 days, has plunged the Upper Kurram region into a humanitarian and security crisis. This blockade has left over 500,000 residents effectively under siege, deprived of basic necessities like fuel, medicine, and education.
Yet, instead of addressing this escalating disaster, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government led by PTI has been busy staging political protests in Islamabad. This blatant neglect underscores a troubling trend of prioritizing political theatrics over the well-being of citizens, particularly in historically marginalized regions like Kurram.
The PTI-led KP government’s inaction in Kurram has exacerbated the crisis. Despite clear signs of unrest, no meaningful steps were taken to restore order or prevent violent outbreaks. Instead, the administration’s focus has remained squarely on political showdowns in the capital, leaving Kurram’s residents to fend for themselves. Schools have been closed, healthcare access has dwindled, and livelihoods are in jeopardy all while the provincial government has failed to take responsibility.
The demand for locals to surrender their weapons before reopening the Parachinar-Peshawar road is emblematic of this negligence. This condition ignores the legitimate fears of a community that has repeatedly experienced violence in the absence of state protection. Trust in government institutions is at an all-time low, and the KP administration’s lack of engagement only deepens this divide.
PTI’s governance or lack thereof has left Kurram in a precarious position. The ongoing blockade is not just a logistical failure but a reflection of the party’s broader inability to govern responsibly. Kurram’s residents are not just victims of a road closure; they are victims of systemic apathy and mismanagement.
The Grand Jirga currently attempting to mediate peace is a commendable effort by local stakeholders, but it highlights the vacuum left by the provincial government. PTI’s failure to engage with the community, provide immediate relief, or present a viable long-term solution is glaring. This neglect has turned what could have been a manageable conflict into a full-blown humanitarian crisis.
Resolving the Kurram crisis requires immediate action, starting with reopening the Parachinar-Peshawar road without preconditions that alienate the local population. The KP government must provide humanitarian aid and address the root causes of sectarian tensions through meaningful dialogue and policy interventions. If PTI remains unwilling or unable to act, the federal government must step in to ensure the safety and dignity of Kurram’s residents.
The people of Kurram have suffered long enough. PTI’s failure to prioritize their plight is a stark reminder of the party’s misplaced priorities and lack of accountability. It is time for the KP government to stop playing politics and start governing for the sake of Kurram and for the sake of its own credibility.
