50 Children Die in Parachinar Amid Road Blockade
News Desk
Islamabad: As many as 50 children suffering from various illnesses have tragically lost their lives in strife-torn Parachinar due to the inability to access hospitals following prolonged road closures, according to private media reports on Sunday.
Social worker Asadullah, addressing protestors who have been staging a sit-in outside the local press club for several days in harsh winter conditions, highlighted the dire situation.
He revealed that essential items, including food and medicines, are unavailable due to the blocked routes. The gas supply has also been disrupted, leaving residents without heating or food. Asadullah vowed that the protest would continue until the roads are reopened for traffic.
Sources from Edhi confirmed the figures, reporting 31 child fatalities at the DHQ Hospital and additional deaths at other medical facilities in the area.
Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) Ali Hadi Irfani termed the road closures “extremely unfortunate” and urged immediate reopening to facilitate the supply of essential goods and medical care.
The crisis has also prompted the closure of all private and public educational institutions in the area, following a call by local religious leaders to protest the road blockades. Headmasters and principals have joined the protests, further highlighting the severity of the issue.
At a press conference in Parachinar, prominent religious leaders, including Allama Noor Hussain Najafi, Allama Khyal Hussain, and others, strongly condemned Adviser to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister on Information Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif for denying reports of child deaths due to lack of medical treatment.
Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Hamid Hussain and tribal leader Jalal Bangash also criticized the adviser’s statement.
Faisal Edhi, a social worker who recently visited the area, described the situation as “alarming,” citing acute shortages of food and medicines. Markets, restaurants, and bakeries remain shuttered, exacerbating the residents’ plight.
Parachinar has long been plagued by sectarian clashes and land disputes. Recent incidents, including attacks on passenger buses claiming numerous lives, have further underscored the gravity of the crisis.
