KP CM to chair apex committee on Kurram situation today

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Apex Committee on Kurram issue will meet today under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Advisor Barrister Saif announced the meeting, saying that the top civil and military leadership will attend today’s meeting.

“Important decisions are likely to be taken on Kurram issue in the Apex Committee meeting,” Barrister Saif said, adding that the committee will be informed about the progress so far. “A strategy will be formulated for sustainable peace in Kurram. Important progress is likely in the meeting regarding the elimination of bunkers and weapons,” he added.

Also read: No respite for Kurram, as road blockages persist

The information advisor said that CM Gandapur is striving for permanent peace in Kurram. “According to the cabinet’s decision, the elimination of weapons and bunkers [in the region] is necessary,” Barrister Saif said.

UPDATE ON KURRAM SITUATION

Roads connecting Kurram to Parachinar and other districts have been locked down since October 12. This prolonged closure of transport routes has caused a dire shortage of medicines, food, fuel, and other necessities, in the region.

Patients in Kurram hospitals are facing severe difficulties due to unavailability of medicines. According to the President of Pakistan Chemist and Drugs Association, Parachinar, Haji Syed Hanif Hussain, life-saving drugs and other medicines have completely run out in the medical store. Citizens are also roaming for simple painkillers like Panadol but they are unable to find those.

Earlier this week, Faisal Edhi of the Edhi Foundation visited Parachinar with medicines supply and also launched an air ambulance service for the critically ill patients. The CM’s helicopter is also being used by the provincial authorities to supply medicines, and wheat to the citizens of Kurram. But despite this measures, the situation remains precarious.

Also read: Kurram crisis: Faisal Edhi arrives with medicines; announces air ambulance service

Vegetable sellers told HUM News that there have been no vegetables available in the area for almost an entire month. Even if something becomes available, its prices shoot up because of scarcity. Only potatoes are available so far, and even they are also being sold at Rs350 per kg, locals told the media.

EDUCATION ON HALT

All government and private educational institutions are closed in Upper Kurram today. According to the All Teachers Association, due to the unavailability of fuel, it has become impossible for children and teachers to reach schools, so we have decided that educational institutions will remain closed further.

The association representatives said that the authorities are playing with the future of Kurram’s. “They are being made to hold arms instead of pens,” the teachers association said.

Yesterday, Ulema [religious leaders], Teachers Union, and Pak Youth Movement held separate press conferences against the provincial government, in which they denied the irresponsible statements of the provincial government. They invited the provincial government leaders to Kurram to see for themselves how terrible the situation has become for the residents of the region.

Also read: ‘Countrywide’ anti-polio campaign fails to reach Kurram district

According to the District Police Officer, 161 people have died since October 12. According to Kurram Deputy Commissioner Javedullah Mehsud, negotiations and jirgas are ongoing between the parties on the orders of the provincial government. It is likely that a final decision will be taken today.