Residents of Kurram are still waiting for relief goods as the aid convoy remains stranded due to heightened tensions after last week’s attack on the deputy commissioner. The convoy, initially scheduled to deliver supplies on January 4, has been stuck in Tal for the fourth consecutive day. The Tal-Parachinar Road is still closed today (Tuesday), preventing its departure.
Concerns are growing that perishable items like vegetables and fruits may spoil. The administration has stated that if the convoy moves, a curfew will be enforced from Chapri Check Post to Tari Mangal. Authorities had already announced a curfew along the highway during the convoy’s transit and imposed Section 144 in the district following the attack.
The situation worsened after the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government temporarily halted aid to victims of violence in Kurram. This decision came after the gun attack on Deputy Commissioner Javedullah Mehsud, which left him and six others injured.
Sources revealed that KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur had earlier ordered financial assistance for affected families in the conflict-hit Kurram district. Following his orders, 90% of the survey of damaged homes and shops in Bagan was completed to ensure compensation. However, the government took serious notice of the attack on the deputy commissioner’s vehicle.
Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, Adviser to the KP Chief Minister on Information, confirmed the suspension of aid. He stated that financial help would not be given to communities refusing to cooperate with the government.
During a meeting in Kohat on Sunday, the government demanded that tribal elders hand over those responsible for the attack. It warned that financial assistance would be withheld if the perpetrators were not handed over.
Convoy to Resume Soon
Despite the delay in the aid convoy’s departure, Barrister Saif downplayed the impact of the attack on Kurram DC. Speaking to a private TV channel, he acknowledged the incident had caused some unease but assured that it would not derail the peace process.
He mentioned that an FIR had been filed and efforts to identify the attackers were ongoing. “Tribal elders have been asked to surrender the culprits as per the peace agreement. Both conflicting parties have condemned the attack and assured their cooperation,” Barrister Saif said. He added that the aid convoy would likely proceed within a day or two after security clearance.
Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies arrested another suspect in connection with the attack, bringing the total arrests to three out of the five named in the FIR. Efforts are ongoing to locate the remaining suspects and other unidentified individuals involved.
Arrest of Tribal Elders
In a separate development, authorities in Kurram detained three tribal elders—Syed Rahman, Saifullah, and Karim Khan—for refusing to sign the recently brokered peace agreement. The district administration emphasized that the agreement, approved by the KP apex committee and the government, must be implemented to restore stability in the region.
A new case was also registered against 200 protesters who staged a sit-in outside Parachinar Press Club. They were accused of blocking the main highway and violating Section 144. The administration stressed that reopening transportation routes remains a priority and warned against actions disrupting public movement.
Ongoing Tribal Violence
Kurram has long been plagued by tribal conflicts. Since November, around 140 people have lost their lives in renewed violence. Feuding tribes have used heavy weapons, turning the remote, mountainous region into a battleground.
The roadblocks caused by the clashes have left residents of Parachinar and nearby areas in desperate need of basic supplies. A truce called on January 1 allowed the first aid convoy carrying food and medicine to travel since November. However, the convoy was attacked during its journey to collect relief goods.
The administration has pledged to ensure peace and hold the culprits accountable through thorough investigations and strict law enforcement. The stranded aid convoy is expected to move soon, offering much-needed relief to the crisis-hit region.
