April 12, 2007	Thursday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 23, 1428

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ISLAMABAD, April 11: People hailing from the Kurram Agency and working in other parts of the country cannot even attend the funeral of their loved ones who have been killed in the recent sectarian clashes.

The warring groups have blocked the main artery connecting the Kurram Agency with the rest of the country and were targeting public transport and vehicles of people belonging to the rival sect.

While talking to Dawn, some tribesmen and MPs from the violence-hit agency said on Wednesday that there was no transport facility available between Hangu and Parachinar for fear of being hit by some projectiles.

They said that prolonged curfew had resulted in the shortage of medicines, water and essential commodities and had worsened the situation for the people stuck up in the area.

MNA Dr Javed Hussain said that the only public hospital in Parachinar was over crowded as people could not take their injured relatives to Kohat, Peshawar or other areas.

“Majority of the patients succumbed to their injuries owing to the non-availability of medicines,” he added.

The MNA said the political authorities should immediately provide water tankers and medicines to residents and patients.

He said the Kohat board of education would be conducting matriculation exam from April 17, but the tension would affect the students of the Kurram Agency.