PARACHINAR: A convoy of 250 vehicles has arrived in Parachinar with essential supplies. It carried oil tankers, food, and medicines.
The convoy was delayed by a roadblock caused by an overturned trailer. Police and district officials worked to clear the route.
A total of 450 vehicles have now arrived in Parachinar.
The Traders Union President said food distribution has begun.
The district administration sent vehicles from Thal to Upper and Lower Kurram. Officials are working to maintain peace.
On March 4, the third day of Ramadan, an aid convoy of 113 small and large vehicles carrying food, medicine and other basic necessities arrived in Parachinar after a period of 15 days.
The aid supply was suspended following a deadly attack on an aid convoy on February 17.
Despite the supply arrival, prices of basic essentials remain unchanged.
Residents complain about the lack of price control. Essential goods still cost the same.
A sack of sugar costs Rs10,000. Ghee is priced at Rs8,800. A 50-kg flour sack costs Rs6,500.
However, the main sit-in of the residents against road closures in the district — being staged outside the Parachinar Press Club — will continue their protest until roads are open and secure.
The protest sit-in of residents against the prolonged closure of roads and Kharlachi crossing between Pakistan and Afgahnistan in the district headquarters Parachinar entered its 11th day today.
The protesters were demanding the reopening of roads to and from Kurram, which had been closed for the last five months, leaving a population of over 0.5 million without access to essential food items and medical care.
Terming the aid convoy a dire need, Trade Union Parachinar urged for more aid to meet public needs of the public.
Elders addressing the protest sit-in said that families of 500 individuals—many of them children—who lost their lives due to a lack of medical treatment during the crisis should be compensated under a martyr package.
They said that the closure of roads has left a population of over 0.5 million without access to essential food items and medical care.
The district administration requested the protesters to end the sit-in, attributing the road closures to security concerns. Officials assured that various steps are being taken to provide relief to the affected population and they have acknowledged the severity of the crisis.
The protesters, however, refused to end the six-day long protest and said that the sit-in would continue until the roads are reopened and made safe for travel.
