Amid ongoing tensions in Kurram district, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has launched a helicopter service to facilitate travel to and from Peshawar.
A statement from the Chief Minister’s press secretary revealed that the service was initiated under the direction of Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to ease travel difficulties caused by the unrest. On its first day, the provincial government’s MI-17 helicopter made two flights from Peshawar to Kurram, transporting 53 people, including 14 patients.
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The service continued with additional flights, including one carrying 16 people, including tribal elders and government staff, and another with 27 people from Parachinar to Tall. A total of five flights are planned for the day, transferring over 100 people. The helicopter service is also delivering essential medicines, with 1,850 kilograms of medicine, valued at 12 million rupees, already sent to Parachinar.
The Chief Minister has emphasized the government’s commitment to addressing the challenges in Kurram, noting ongoing efforts for lasting peace and permanent solutions. However, earlier peace talks via a jirga faced delays as one side requested two days for consultation. Meanwhile, the Kurram District’s main highway remains closed for the 73rd day, causing severe shortages of essential supplies for around 400,000 residents, leading to protests over food and resource shortages.
A special meeting of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Apex Committee, chaired by Chief Minister Gandapur, was held to discuss the security situation in Kurram, with federal and provincial officials reviewing the crisis.
