PARACHINAR: The first convoy of 20 vehicles carrying food items and other essential goods has reached Parachinar, Kurram Deputy Commissioner informed media.
The convoy left Peshawar for Kurram on January 3, following the truce inked on January 1 between the rival tribes. However, it stranded near Bagan village when a group of 40-50 miscreants opened fire on it, injuring the Kurram’s deputy commissioner and members of a negotiation team on Jan 4.
As per the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, the convoy was carrying essential food items, including chicken, eggs, and snacks in small vehicles.
According to sources, relief goods for Bagan affectees have also been delivered to Lower Kurram, while 17 trucks from Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) will deliver aid among them.
Sources also said that the convoy was escorted by police and security personnel.
Traders say larger trucks are expected to arrive at night.
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“The people of Kurram have been facing a severe shortage of essential items due to the ongoing blockade,” said KP government spokesperson Barrister Saif, adding that the convoy was a step towards addressing their immediate needs.
KURRAM REMAINED UNDER LOCKDOWN SINCE OCTOBER
After resurgence of sectarian violence and bloodshed, the Kurram district was locked down on October 12. The main road connecting the district to other neighboring cities remained closed for almost three months, which caused severe shortage of food, fuel and medicines in the region.
The federal and provincial governments of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa used helicopters to transport life-saving medicines to the region and to transport the critically ill to hospitals in Peshawar and Rawalpindi. However, the situation continued to deteriorate, as the Grand Jirga failed to reach an agreement.
Eventually, on January 1, the parties involved reached a consensus, and soon after a convoy of trucks laden with food and other essential items was sent to Kurram.