PESHAWAR: Due to the ongoing tensions and closure of roads in Kurram district, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has launched a helicopter service to facilitate travel to and from Peshawar.
The KP MI-17 helicopter completed three flights between Peshawar and Kurram district on Saturday, a statement released by the Chief Minister’s house.
The statement detailed the helicopter operations, stating that the first transported 16 people, including jirga members and government officials, to Parachinar. The second flight moved 27 individuals from Parachinar to Tal. A third flight is planned to transport people stranded in Tal back to Parachinar.
The statement added that yesterday the helicopter completed two flights between Peshawar and Kurram and transported 53 individuals – including 14 patients – from Parachinar to Peshawar.
Helicopter delivers medicines for Kurram
The KP government also delivering essential medicines to the Kurram by helicopter.
“Over 1850 kilograms of medicine, valued at Rs12 million, were delivered to Parachinar from Peshawar yesterday,” it added.
A total of seven helicopter flights have been dedicated to delivering medicine, with a combined value of over 60 million rupees
On Thursday, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Apex Committee, chaired by the Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur decided to dismantle the private bunkers of the rival tribes established in Kurram.
The meeting was attended by Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Corps Commander Peshawar Lieutenant General Omer Ahmed Bukhari, IG Police Akhtar Hayat Khan, Chief Secretary, and officials from law enforcement agencies.
The main highway in Kurram district, which borders Afghanistan, has remained closed for over 72 days due to ongoing unrest. The blockade has created a shortage of food and medicines.
