PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has declared Kurram a “disaster-hit” district and imposed a relief emergency following the months-long tribal clashes that led to the killing of hundreds and an acute shortage of commodities and necessary items.
During the cabinet meeting today in Peshawar, KP Chief Minster Ali Amin Gandapur was briefed on the situation in Kurram district and the steps taken by the provincial government in this regard.
The KP govt spokesperson Barrister Saif in a statement said “The provincial government has directed authorities concerned to expedite relief operations in Kurram.
He added that authorities were ensuring the provision of medicines and food items during the relief emergency. “The relief operation includes provision of medicines, food, and transportation via airborne service.”
The cabinet meeting, chaired by the KP Chief Minister, was briefed that the medicines have been provided to all areas of Kurram.
“Wheat is being provided at concessional rates to ensure the availability of food grains in the area. Payments have been made to compensate for the loss of life and property in Kurram,” the meeting was told.
The meeting was further briefed that a helicopter service, on the instructions of Gandapur, has started to solve the transportation problems faced by the people of the area. “In the last two days, 220 people were provided transport by the provincial government helicopter,” it added.
During the meeting, the cabinet also approved the implementation of anti-money laundering and anti-terror financing measures to strengthen financial regulations in the province.
Special police force to be established
The cabinet meeting has also given node to the establishment of a special police force to secure the Parachinar Road, which will be opened to restore land connectivity to Kurram.
A total of 399 personnel will be recruited for this purpose along with the formation of temporary posts initially to secure the road, while permanent posts will be established in the future, the statement read.
The attendees were briefed that the road would be opened after an agreement was reached between the rival tribes. Moreover, the meeting also decided to establish an FIA cell tasked with shutting down social media accounts spreading communal hatred in the area.
The KP cabinet also decided to establish a desk in the Home Department for issuing licenses for weapons. It was also decided to demolish the bunkers established in the area by February 1, they were briefed.
Addressing the meeting, KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur said that the “issue of Karam is not terrorism” but a conflict between two groups.
“The people of the area want peace but some elements are trying to spoil the situation through communal hatred,” the Chief Minister added.
He also castigated “some elements” for worsening the situation by spreading sectarian hatred, saying that they were creating false narratives to give a “different colour to the Kurram issue”.
“The KP government is seeking a peaceful solution to the issue through talks and jirgas,” he said, clarifying that no decision has been made to conduct operations in Tirah Valley and Jani Khel.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet members, chief secretaries, additional chief secretaries, and administrative secretaries attended the meeting.
