KURRAM: Residents of Kurram’s Para Chinar are facing severe fuel shortages and soaring prices due to prolonged road closures linked to sectarian conflicts. Petrol prices have surged to Rs 300 per liter, significantly higher than the rest of Pakistan, where rates remain stable.
Locals told Pakhtun Digitals that the district has been cut off for nearly ten months, causing prices of essential goods, including petrol and diesel, to hit historic highs. “In other parts of Pakistan, fuel is cheaper, but here it’s Rs 50-60 more per liter,” a resident said. Some even reported black-market rates reaching Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,500 per liter.
The ongoing Iran-Israel conflict has raised fears of further inflation, worsening the crisis. “If a war breaks out, our situation will become even worse,” a worried local added.
Protestors are urging the government to reopen roads and restore supply chains. “We demand peace and fair prices so we can live like the rest of the country,” a resident pleaded. With no relief in sight, poor families are struggling to afford basic necessities.
