Saif says main roads in Kurram to reopen soon

PARACHINAR/ KOHAT: Adviser to Chief Minister on Information Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif on Wednesday said that the main roads in Kurram district would soon be reopened for public use.

Addressing a grand jirga in Kohat, he said that the bunkers along key routes would be removed with the support of local communities. “Disarming the district of heavy weaponry is imperative for lasting peace,” he added.

Calling for unity and cooperation to restore peace and resolve ongoing issues, he said, “We must eradicate hatred; the conflict will naturally subside.”

The provincial government, he said, would continue providing medical supplies via helicopter services and was considering the restoration of air travel to the region with a final decision expected in the coming days.

Barrister Saif said that both parties desired peace, but certain elements benefiting from the unrest were obstructing it. He urged the public to assist in identifying these elements, assuring that the government would take strict action against them. “I am hopeful that the ceasefire will be sustained,” he remarked.

Referring to the Murree Agreement, he lamented that its implementation could have prevented the current bloodshed. “The issue of law and order in Kurram has persisted for generations. This jirga must find a permanent solution so future generations can live in peace,” he urged.

Barrister Saif reiterated the provincial government’s commitment to standing with the people of Kurram and ensuring sustainable peace. He said that the government had established a supervisory committee at the provincial level, comprising senior officials from the civil administration and law enforcement agencies, to address the ongoing challenges.

“We have gathered here today as proof of our collective desire for enduring peace,” said Barrister Saif.

Meanwhile, the residents of Kurram continued to face hardships as key transportation routes remained closed due to clashes and attacks on passenger convoys.

The closure of the main highway and the Afghan border has disrupted the supply of essential goods, including food, fuel, and medicines, leaving many communities in dire straits.