The ongoing unrest in Kurram district has reached a critical juncture, requiring immediate and decisive action to restore peace and normalcy.
For over two months, the region has been isolated from the rest of Pakistan due to the closure of key routes, including the Parachinar-Peshawar highway. This has triggered severe shortages of essential commodities and medical supplies, with reports of the deaths of more than 100 children due to a lack of medical care. The situation has now deteriorated to the point where local government representatives are threatening to resign if their district remains cut off from the rest of the country.
Simmering for months, the crisis came to the fore in November when an attack on a convoy of vehicles killed dozens, igniting sectarian tensions. In response, authorities closed off all routes to the restive area to ensure security. Unfortunately, the sustained closures—especially during the brutal winter months—have done little more than exacerbate the suffering of the local populace.
The deepening humanitarian crisis has left educational institutions and businesses shuttered. The failure of both the federal and provincial governments in taking timely action has also fostered a sense of abandonment among locals. Six days ago, residents started organizing sit-ins in Kurram to demand the reopening of roads and restoration of peace. The protests have since extended to the rest of the country, with organizers warning they will shutter roads across Pakistan if they remain cut off.
Authorities must stop blaming one another and act. The government-backed Jirga negotiating between the rival tribes has made incremental progress, but has not yet achieved consensus. It is imperative for authorities to prioritize the reopening of all routes leading to and from Kurram. Ensuring safe passage for goods and individuals will help mitigate the humanitarian crisis and assure locals they are not children of a lesser God. At the same time, a comprehensive and inclusive dialogue involving all stakeholders should continue to work toward establishing sustainable peace.
The local community has suffered through cycles of violence for far too long. It is the responsibility of the government to ensure their aspirations for peace and stability are realized. The brutal winter that has turned Kurram into a frozen prison, where children perish for lack of medicine and families struggle to survive, must end, making way for a spring of new hope and justice for all.