In a devastating turn of events from Pakistan’s northern boundary, the beautiful Kurram area is now experiencing a serious humanitarian catastrophe. Famous philanthropist Faisal Edhi recently brought attention to the terrible scenario in which locals are finding it difficult to get essential medical supplies because of continuous road closures.
The situation is a result of the tragic events that occurred last month, when an assault on a convoy of vehicles led to sectarian confrontations that killed over 130 lives. Authorities responded by closing the Pakistan-Afghan border and the Parachinar-Peshawar highway, so cutting off this hilly area from essential supply lines.
After arriving from Karachi to provide humanitarian aid, Edhi told the Dawn newspaper, “We don’t even have enough firewood to provide heat, and there is no infrastructure in place to keep patients warm.” For diabetic patients who are unable to get insulin, the situation is very dire, and many youngsters suffer from pneumonia without receiving the proper medical attention.
The fact that Kurram district, which is located in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, is typically a place of extraordinary promise and beauty is what makes this situation so heartbreaking. The magnificent snowcapped Safed Koh mountains, which naturally border Afghanistan, dominate the district, which gets its name from the Kurram River that flows through its valleys. The area, which is home to many Pashtun tribes, such as the Bangash, Turi, and Orakzai, is rich in natural resources, including mineral riches and hydropower potential.
In order to transport necessary supplies to the impacted regions, humanitarian organisations are being compelled to depend on helicopters. Edhi, who brought relief supplies by helicopter on Tuesday, talks of a town that is in dire need of medical aid. Due to the blockage, local medical institutions are finding it difficult to provide even the most basic patient treatment, and critically sick patients are urgently needing to be transferred to neighbouring cities.
This situation underscores the precarious state of peace in this strategically important area, which just recently joined Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in 2018 after formerly being a part of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas. The present state of affairs contrasts sharply with the district’s potential for growth, which includes prospective tourist destinations like Parachinar, Kirman, and the ancient KharLachi Fort, as well as rich supplies of marble, coal, and soapstone.
The predicament of Kurram’s inhabitants has raised alarm across Pakistan as winter continues to encroach on the area. The route to settlement is still unclear, however, since sectarian tensions are still smouldering and roadways are still blocked. The scenario is a stark reminder of how easily political unrest can turn a place with abundant natural resources and a thriving cultural scene into a humanitarian crisis.
Kurram district residents are now waiting for a speedy settlement that would enable regular living to resume in this beautiful but problematic region of Pakistan.
About Kurram
One of Pakistan’s most intriguing and subtle areas is Kurram District, which is tucked away in the centre of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. This 3,380-square-kilometer area, which is named after the powerful Kurram River that cuts through its valleys, is inhabited by more than 600,000 people and has unrealised potential for both tourist and economic development.
The scenery conveys a tale of abundant nature. The Kurram River meanders eastward before joining the ancient Indus, and the snow-capped Safed Koh mountains guard the Afghan border. Kurram is unique not just because of its breathtaking scenery but also because of the abundance of natural riches that lay underneath its untamed landscape.
Along with substantial stocks of marble, magnesite, and iron ore, the area is home to outstanding mineral riches, including 3.2 million tonnes of soapstone and 2 million tonnes of coal. With the region’s water resources being harnessed by a number of tiny dams, including Malana, Zeran, and KotRagha, the power industry also exhibits potential. Furthermore, the district’s woods provide chances for carbon credit programs, while the Tirah Block has unrealised oil and gas potential.
Travellers would be mesmerised by places like the picturesque village of Parachinar, the old KharLachi Fort, and the unspoiled landscapes of Kirman and Zairan. Sadda, a town in the lower district, exemplifies the natural variety of the area with its evergreen woods and abundant agricultural output.
The customs of many Pashtun tribes, such as the Bangash, Turi, and Orakzai, have been woven into Kurram’s equally complex cultural tapestry. Despite sporadic sectarian difficulties, the area, which became a part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2018 after formerly being a part of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, offers a distinctive fusion of history and promise.
Kurram District presents an alluring story of possibility for both investors and explorers. Its natural resources, cultural legacy, and advantageous position come together to provide a singularly exciting frontier destination.