Wed Dec 25 14:26:56 UTC 2024: ## Over 100 Children Dead in Pakistan Due to Road Blockade
**Parachinar, Pakistan (December 25, 2024)** – Over 100 children have died in Parachinar, Pakistan, due to a two-and-a-half-month-long road blockade that has severely hampered access to essential medical care, according to reports from The News International. The blockade, stemming from an ongoing tribal conflict, has cut off the district from vital food and medical supplies, triggering six days of widespread protests demanding the reopening of access routes.
Agha Muzamil, Chairman of Upper Kurram Tehsil, stated that the lack of access to healthcare has resulted in the tragic loss of life. In response, the Kurram Deputy Commissioner announced the arrival of a Grand Jirga to initiate peace talks aimed at resolving the conflict and ending the blockade. Solidarity protests have also taken place in major cities like Karachi and Lahore, highlighting the plight of Parachinar residents.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has pledged action, with the approval of a special police force to secure the Parachinar Road. The government’s advisor on information, Barrister Saif, emphasized the need for a lasting solution to the century-old tribal dispute that has caused widespread suffering. The situation remains critical, with the district effectively paralyzed and residents facing a humanitarian crisis.
First Piper 