Parachinar protest ends following successful negotiations

KURRAM AGENCY: A protest by residents of Parachinar, against the deadly bombing a day earlier, was called off after successful negotiations with the political administration.

Parachinar residents protested with the bodies of the martyrs at Shaheed Park and demanded immediate action against those involved in the incident.

Members of the Majlis-e-Huddat Muslimeen held protests against the deadly bomb blast on March 31 that left 24 dead and 90 injured, in Multan, Tando Muhammad Khan, and Muzaffarabad.

Tribal elders and representatives of the political administration negotiated for two hours following the protests. Members of the armed forces and religious scholars were also part of the negotiations.

In his address to the protesting citizens following the negotiations, Allama Fida Mazhari said that the political administration had agreed to fulfil their demands.

Protestors moved the martyrs to the central Imam Bargah for the last rites following which they were buried in their hometowns.

As per the agreement between the tribal leaders and political administration, locals belonging to Kurram-Malaysia will be posted at check posts and immediate action will be taken against the FC personnel involved in the firing.

Protesters injured

According to reports, security forces had opened fire to disperse demonstrators who had gathered to protest the incident, injuring several people.  

Locals said the injured persons and their attendants were faced with difficulties at the Agency Headquarters Hospital Parachinar due to the dearth of medical facilities and staff. Even though the issue was raised at the Eidgah explosion in January, the hospital continues to lack the necessary facilities to handle emergency situations.

Kurram agency is considered one of the most sensitive tribal regions as it borders three Afghan provinces and was once the main route for cross-border militant activity.

In January, at least 25 people were killed and over 65 injured early in the morning when a powerful explosion ripped through a crowded marketplace in Parachinar, officials said. The explosion had occurred early morning around 8:50AM in the city's Eidgah market, where a large number of people were shopping for fruits and vegetables.