Government helicopters continue to deliver aid to Pakistani district wracked by sectarian feuds

Officials offload aid from a government helicopter for Pakistani district wracked by sectarian feuds, in Parachinar on December 25, 2024. (Photo courtesy: PMO)

• Police say at least 136 killed in fresh sectarian feuds in Kurram that started last month
• Northwestern district has for decades seen fighting between Shia and Sunni groups

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Wednesday humanitarian aid continued to be delivered to the northwestern Khurram district where the blockade of a main highway since last month following sectarian clashes in the region has triggered a humanitarian crisis.
Kurram, a tribal district of around 600,000 where federal and provincial authorities have traditionally exerted limited control, has frequently experienced violence between its Sunni and Shia communities over land and power. Travelers to and from the town often ride in convoys escorted by security officials.
The latest feuding started on Nov. 21 when gunmen ambushed a vehicle convoy and killed 52 people, mostly Shias. The assault triggered road closures and other measures that have disrupted people’s access to medicine, food, fuel, education and work. Over 130 people have been killed in the fighting that has ensued after the convoy attack, according to police records.
The provincial and federal governments and the Edhi Foundation charity last week started sending medicines to the region via helicopters.
“On the instructions of Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, the Cabinet Division helicopter has been allocated for the provision of medicines, transfer of patients and other relief activities in Parachinar,” Sharif’s office said in a statement.
Parachinar is the main town in Kurram and a main road that connects the region to Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has been blocked since sectarian fighting began late last month.
“The National Disaster Management Authority is carrying out this important relief operation to deliver medicines to Parachinar to meet the emergency medical needs of children, women and elderly people of Parachinar,” the PM’s office said.
On Wednesday morning, a government helicopter carrying 500 kilograms of medicines reached Parachinar and returned to Islamabad, the federal capital, with four patients.
“The second helicopter has left Islamabad for Parachinar this afternoon carrying another 500 kg of medicines and on its return, it will bring patients from Parachinar to Islamabad,” the PM’s office said.
Kurram police spokesman Riaz Khan told Arab News on Monday least 136 people had been killed in the violence since last month. If you added those who had died due to lack of access to hospitals and medicines following the road closures, the number reached at least 200, the police officer said.
Pakistani media widely reported on Wednesday at least 100 children has died in Kurram due to lack of access to medication and health facilities. 
The KP provincial government last week launched a helicopter service to evacuate people and transport aid and medicines to Kurran amid the closer of the Parachinar-Peshawar road.
The KP government also said last week authorities had decided to dismantle private bunkers — observation posts used in the fighting by both sides — and given a deadline of Feb. 1 for tribesmen in Kurram to handover heavy weapons. 
Local tribesmen have so far reportedly refused to surrender their weapons, citing concerns about their safety.