KURRAM: A convoy of at least 80 vehicles carrying food and non-food items made it to Parachinar, the headquarters of Kurram district, while 70 vehicles loaded with petroleum products, gas cylinders and medicines were sent back to Thall area of Hangu district on Tuesday.

According to sources, a convoy comprising 160 vehicles carrying food items and other daily use necessities was dispatched to Kurram on Tuesday. However, after leaving Thall, only 80 vehicles were allowed to proceed to Parachinar, while the remaining 70 vehicles were sent back to Thall.

Haji Imdad, a local trader, said shortage of petrol and diesel in the region had created difficulties for people.

Haji Gulfam, president of petrol pumps association, said that they were facing severe difficulties in the face of oil products’ shortage. Locals claimed that petrol was being sold from Rs1,500 to Rs2,000 per litre on the black market.

Meanwhile, officials said that six more bunkers were demolished in Upper and Lower Kurram, taking the number of bunkers demolished so far to 86. They said a 600-foot-long trench in Lower Kurram’s Khar Kili and Balishkhel areas was also blocked with the help of heavy machinery.

The district administration officials said these trenches were previously used by both the warring groups to attack each other’s places.

Published in Dawn, February 12th, 2025