Aid stalled as attack on administrator reignites crisis in Pakistan's sectarian-violence hit district

In Pakistan's sectarian violence-stricken Kurram district, a recent attack on a senior government official has deepened a humanitarian crisis affecting more than 400,000 residents.

The assault on the Kurram Deputy Commissioner Javedullah Mehsud's convoy has stalled critical aid deliveries to Parachinar, the district's main city, where locals are already struggling with severe food and medicine shortages after nearly three months of blocked access routes.

In an effort to restore order, the provincial government imposed Section 144 in Kurram for two months, banning the display of weapons and gatherings of more than five people. Five suspects—Kazim, Rakhmeen, Haji, Qadir, and Rahman Muhammad—along with 25 to 30 unidentified militants have been charged in a First Information Report (FIR) for their alleged involvement in the attack.

Injured Kurram Deputy Commissioner Javedullah Mehsud being shifted to a hospital following an attack on his convoy on January 4, 2025.Nukta

"Implementation of all decisions has begun, and tribal elders have been urged to ensure the immediate handover of those responsible for the attack," said Barrister Saif, who added that all perpetrators would be "swiftly apprehended" and elements working against peace would be "exposed and appropriately punished".

A home department document obtained by Nukta outlines additional security measures, including the establishment of 48 checkpoints along the Thal-Parachinar Road, to be manned by 399 ex-servicemen as a special protection force.

The document also reveals plans to establish a Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Cyber Crime Wing office in Parachinar and sets a February 1 deadline for the demolition of all bunkers—an operation to be carried out jointly by the district administration, police, and Frontier Corps (FC).

The government has also mandated the surrender of all weapons by February 1, offering owners the option to sell them to authorities. A digitized inventory of collected weapons will be maintained under joint supervision of the district administration and FC.

Humanitarian crisis unabated

Meanwhile, the suspension of helicopter services and prolonged closure of routes—now approaching 90 days—has created a humanitarian crisis for over 400,000 residents of Parachinar.

Ali Jawad, a local representative of the Shia community, described a dire situation of food and medicine shortages. "The government's response has been limited to mere assurances, and the suspension of helicopter services in such dire circumstances is deeply troubling," he said. '

People mourn over the graves of relatives who were killed after gunmen opened fire on passenger vehicles in the Kurram tribal district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, in Shalozan, Pakistan November 22, 2024. Reuters

While residents are surviving on local crops including potatoes, wheat, tomatoes, and rice, Jawad warned that "if this crisis persists, the people of Parachinar may be compelled to take drastic measures, including rebellion."

The medical situation is particularly severe. Syed Mir Hassan Jan, Medical Superintendent at the District Headquarters Hospital in Parachinar, reported that supplies haven't arrived via helicopter for two days. "The arrival of the convoy is essential, as further delays could worsen the situation," he emphasized. According to Hassan Jan, 31 children died from inadequate medical treatment at the hospital between October 1 and December 16, 2024.

Bagan sit-in continues

According to local police, an aid convoy of more than 80 trucks carrying food, medicine, and other essential supplies to Parachinar remains stationed in the Thal area.

The convoy cannot proceed due to a protest by residents of Bagan, whose community suffered extensive damage in recent sectarian violence. Under the leadership of Karim Khan, who refused to sign the Grand Jirga's recent 14-point peace agreement, these residents have staged a sit-in to block the aid convoy's passage.

"In the recent attacks, 400 shops and homes in Bagan were burned down. Unless the government provides compensation for these losses, we will not allow any vehicles to proceed," Karim told Nukta.

He emphasized that the peace agreement's failure to address compensation for damages in Bagan makes it unacceptable to local residents. "We have already suffered significant losses, and if the government attempts to impose anything further, we will not back down," he added.

The tensions escalated further when, on January 4, the Deputy Commissioner's convoy was attacked in Bagan, leaving seven people injured, including the Deputy Commissioner and security personnel.

Relief measures insufficient?

According to documents obtained by Nukta, medical relief provided via helicopter includes 12.8 tons of medicine and vaccines sufficient for local needs for two months. Additionally, 223 patients have been transported by helicopter across 15 trips. "However, injury kits for 3,200 patients delivered to the District Health Office in Hangu could not be transported to Parachinar due to the road blockade," the document reveals.

The document also reveals that the government released 2,000 metric tons of wheat to flour mills, which could not be processed due to power shortages.

Zahid Usman, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Kurram, told Nukta that the shortage of goods in Parachinar has been largely addressed, and police are working to clear the route for the convoy. "The route will be cleared, but if not, we will request the government to deliver supplies via helicopter by tomorrow," he said.

Rehan Muhammad, a local journalist from Bagan, believes that sending convoys before collecting weapons and demolishing bunkers, as stipulated in the agreement, was a mistake. "For peace to be established, it is essential to implement the agreement in accordance with the Apex Committee's decisions," he emphasized.

Adnan Haider, a local journalist from Parachinar, emphasizes that enforcing Section 144 and ensuring swift protection of transportation routes is crucial for restoring normalcy to the area.

Kurram crisis timeline

Situated strategically along the Afghanistan border, Kurram has long been a center of sectarian tensions between Sunni and Shia Muslims. Its complex tribal structure, history of militant activity, and geopolitical significance have made achieving lasting peace a persistent challenge.

The crisis in Kurram intensified on November 21 last year when an attack on a passenger convoy traveling from Parachinar to Peshawar resulted in 43 deaths. Subsequent retaliatory sectarian violence claimed more than 150 lives and left 200 others injured, leading to the closure of the district's only highway.

On December 20 last year, the provincial apex committee on security gave both sides 15 days to sign an agreement, mandating the removal of all private bunkers and weapons to restore normalcy in the district.

On January 1, the Kurram Grand Jirga finalized a peace agreement with key stakeholders signing a 14-point accord, but it wasn't signed by all stakeholders. The agreement included provisions for resolving land disputes under the Murree Agreement, rehabilitating displaced residents, collecting weapons, dismantling bunkers, and enforcing strict action against hate speech.

Following the peace accord, the government announced the reopening of roads. However, before the main convoy could depart for Parachinar, the situation deteriorated again after the Deputy Commissioner's convoy was attacked on January 4.