PM dedicates cabinet’s helicopter for Parachinar relief activities

ISLAMABAD: On the instructions of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, the Cabinet Division helicopter has been allocated for the provision of medicines, transfer of patients and other relief activities in Parachinar.

The prime minister has also directed for relief measures to continue in an expedited manner for Parachinar.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is carrying out the relief operation to deliver medicines to Parachinar. The prolonged closure of roads has caused a dire shortage of essential medicines in the Kurram region. The NDMA is ensuring the supply to meet the emergency medical needs of children, women and elderly people of Parachinar on the instructions of the Prime Minister.

Also read: Kurram protests, after 50 children succumb to medicine shortage

As per prime minister’s directive, the first helicopter flight carrying 500 kilograms of medicines arrived in Parachinar today. On its return from Parachinar, this helicopter also brought four patients to Islamabad for treatment.

The second helicopter has left Islamabad for Parachinar this afternoon carrying another 500 kilograms of medicines and will bring patients from Parachinar to Islamabad on its return journey.

PM Sharif said, “In this hour of sorrow and hardship, we stand with the people of Parachinar and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.”

SIT-IN STAGED BY KURRAM RESIDENTS AGAINST CONTINUED VIOLENCE

The people of Parachinar came out on roads after two men were killed in Bagan in the latest wave of violence in the district. The main road connecting Kurram with other districts has been closed down since October 13. During this time, a severe shortage of medicines, food items, and fuel has started to emerge. Incidents of violence have also continued during this time, with the latest shocking incident of two beheadings.

Two men belonging to Parachinar were caught by the opposing group on Saturday night and were viciously murdered in the Bagan area. After the incident, the locals came out on roads, in the thick of winter with temperatures plunging below freezing point, and staged a sit-in.

Also read: Kurram blockade: sit-in against 2 slain men reaches Karachi

In solidarity with the people of Parachinar, another group of people have also come together for a sit-in in Karachi. The death toll from the violence and from the dearth of food and medicines continues to increase, while the government attempts to alleviate the hardships of the people of Kurram. A final resolution to the matter is yet to be reached.