FED up with the state’s apathy towards their plight, the people of Kurram tribal district took to the streets on Thursday calling for security and freedom of movement. While the arterial Thall-Parachinar road has been closed for three weeks, other thoroughfares connecting Kurram with the rest of KP have been inaccessible for nearly a month. Local officials have attributed the roads’ closure to ‘security concerns’, a reference to the deadly tribal and sectarian clashes that have rocked the region over the past several months, as well as the presence of heavily armed militants in the area. Since July, as per one count, over 80 people have been killed in clashes, while vehicles have been targeted. The latest incident occurred earlier this week; two passengers were killed when unidentified culprits fired upon vehicles. Due to the closure of roads and insecurity, the people of Kurram are facing food and medicine shortages, while educational and economic activities have also been severely hampered. The protesters have two basic demands: peace in the region and security for travellers. Sadly, all state institutions have up till now failed to provide either of these to the people.

The closure of roads in this sensitive area is nothing new. In fact, the Thall-Parachinar road remained closed from 2007 to 2011, and locals had to transit through Afghanistan to reach other parts of Pakistan. Back then, it was said that local and Afghan militants had created the security situation. Today, claims of rival tribes over land, as well as the presence of militants, are said to be fuelling the cycle of violence. The KP Apex Committee recently said it was giving “special consideration” to the situation in Kurram and utilising “all available options” to restore peace. It is hoped this is not mere rhetoric, and that solid steps are taken to ensure that the local people can move freely and are protected from militants.

Published in Dawn, November 9th, 2024