Parachinar

TTP in Kurram issues 'code of conduct'

Friday, May 13, 2011

TTP in Kurram issues ‘code of conduct’

Friday, May 13, 2011

HANGU: Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Thursday issued leaflets in Kurram Agency orddering the residents to follow its "code of conduct" or face the consequences.

The militants asked the men in lower Kurram valley to grow beards and the women to remain veiled outside their home. The women were instructed to stay at homes and never move out if unaccompanied by immediate family members.

The TTP further said that spending lavishly on weddings and arranging music on such occasions was strictly forbidden in Islam and warned the people to avoid all such practices. The militants also asked the people to offer prayers regularly and pay at least Rs5,000 salary to the prayer leaders in every mosque of the area.

They asked the people to avoid drugs and usury in the area. The leaflets said those involved in such practices must meet Taliban leaders in the area to clarify their position.

The militants directed individuals working with the non-governmental organisations to quit their jobs and clarify their position in the Taliban courts. Through the leaflets, the militants also fixed Rs70,000 cash and 20 grams of gold as dowry for girls.

SOURCE: http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=46696&Cat=7&dt=5/13/2011

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Gilani directs compensation payment of Rs one billion for victims of sectarian clashes

ISLAMABAD, May 13 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani directed for payment of Rs one billion on Friday by the Ministry of Finance for payment of compensation to the affected families of sectarian clashes in Kurram Agency.Talking to FATA parliamentary delegation, at PM House, he said the government would also make utmost efforts to spare funds for early socio-economic and infrastructure development of the Tribal Areas.

The Prime Minister also directed for setting up a committee comprising Minister for Finance, three representatives from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) parliamentarians, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister and Special Secretary to the Prime Minister to develop a mechanism for quick processing of FATA development projects.
Gilani observed that lack of coordination among the Ministries and line departments is the main cause of delay in launching of development schemes in FATA region.
He also ordered the Special Secretary to the Prime Minister to depute an officer for monitoring the progress of development projects launched in the Tribal Areas.
The Prime Minister asked the parliamentarians to work out collectively on a master development plan to bring about progress and prosperity to the whole tribal belt, with public welfare schemes.
He apprised the Parliamentarians about some of the mega projects like universities, cadet college, thermal power projects, new grid stations, dams and roads which will be included in the next year's development budget for the FATA region.
The Prime Minister expressed gratitude for unconditional support of the government's coalition partners belonging to FATA region.
He also expressed his profound grief over the sad incident of Shabqadar this morning and directed the Minister for Interior to take appropriate measures to stop recurrence of such incidents.
Mir Khan Orakzai, leader of FATA parliamentarians, thanked the Prime Minister for his keen and sincere interest in resolution of the problems of FATA.
He said keeping in view the Prime Minister's unprecedented attention towards betterment of the people of Tribal Areas, all the FATA parliamentarians will continue to support the government.
Haji Muneer Orakzai also discussed the issues regarding delay in release of funds and unemployment. He pointed out that most of the development funds released by this democratic government were being spent on the completion of the projects announced by the previous regimes.
He requested the Prime Minister to direct the FATA secretariat that development schemes submitted by the parliamentarians may also be given priority.
The parliamentarians thanked the Prime Minister for setting up a committee to expedite the processing of development schemes of the FATA region. They also appreciated release of Rs. one billion for compensation of the affected families of Kurram Agency and said it would help the affected people overcome their losses.
The meeting was attended by Senators Engr. Rashid Ahmed Khan, Haji Khan Afridi, Hafiz Rasheed Ahmed, Abdul Raziq, Eng. Shaukat Ullah Khan, Minister for SAFRON and MNAs Malik Bilal Rehman, Sajid Hussain Turi, Haji Muneer Khan Orakzai, Jawad Hussain, Muhammad Kamran Khan,Maulana Noor ul Haq Qadri, Hamidullah Jan Afridi and Zafar Baig Betanni.

SOURCE: http://app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=139164&Itemid=2

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Wednesday, May 11, 2011

A blocked road

By Editorial

Published: May 11, 2011

Young children from Parachinar clad in burial shrouds marching towards Parliament House. PHOTO: MUHAMMAD JAVAID

The demonstration by students from Parachinar in Islamabad against the continued closure of the Thall-Parachinar Road has drawn attention to an issue of crucial significance to the people of the Upper Kurram Agency. Till now, despite some attempts by legislators from the area to raise the matter in parliament, no one appears to have paid any heed to the situation. The protest by the students was intended to highlight just how important it is for the people of Parachinar that the road, which links the town with Peshawar, be reopened. Its closure means goods cannot be transported north, placing Parachinar in a state of siege.

Sadly, this is a situation people know well. The Thall-Parachinar Road had remained closed for four years, until in February this year the government had, with considerable pride, announced its reopening following meetings between tribal elders, administration members and others presided over by Interior Minister Rehman Malik. Astonishingly enough, the local Taliban had said they would ensure the deal was kept. But neither the government nor the militants' word held true. In mid-March, passengers travelling down the highway from Parachinar were kidnapped (they were all Shia); their bodies were discovered a short while later and the road closed again on March 25 amid fears of renewed sectarian clashes. Since then, the road has remained closed.

This does not say much for the writ of government in Kurram Agency. The government has failed once more to ease the misery of desperate residents who find themselves, after the briefest reprieve, once more under a state of siege. The matter is critical also because the strategically located Kurram Agency is vital to the militants, offering direct access to Afghanistan. The Taliban have much interest in controlling the area. This makes it all the more imperative that the authorities do more to bring order to the stretch of highway that remains troubled, and by doing so, exert control over Kurram whose people seek a return to normalcy in their lives and an end to the suffering they have borne for so long. Even now, no one seems ready to hear their voice.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 11^th, 2011.

SOURCE: http://tribune.com.pk/story/165687/a-blocked-road/

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Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Parachinaris await next broken promise

Published: May 10, 2011

Young children from Parachinar clad in burial shrouds marching towards Parliament House. PHOTO: MUHAMMAD JAVAID

Frustrated by lawmakers and politicians' apathy and enraged by the negligence and indifference of the government and security apparatus, scores of youth and children from Parachinar held a protest march on Monday against the continuing siege of their town and killings of innocent commuters by militants.

Carrying coffins bearing the names of people brutally killed by extremists on their shoulders, the protesters marched from National Press Club to parliament house where the lower house was in session. The most noticeable thing in the rally, held on the 19th consecutive day of their peaceful protest, was the sight of young children wearing white shrouds. According to a press release issued on Monday by the youth of Parachinar, all the protesters were demanding was for the government to clear and open the Thal-Parachinar Road, which has been blocked for the last four years, and the continuing blockage of the road has created a plethora of problems for the people of the area.

The protesters were chanting slogans against Interior Minister Rehman Malik, who had promised to re-open the blocked road by April 27, but after almost two weeks, the road remains blocked and not a single one of the promised security measures promised by Malik have been followed through.

Majlis Wahdat Muslimeen Deputy Secretary and a scholar Ameen Shaheedi addressed the protesters, saying, "An area where 500,000 people reside cannot be closed off for such a long time by any militant terrorist group. If supplies cannot reach there and the people cannot travel safely, the government has to take serious concern of the matter." The Chairman of Youth of Parachinar Ali Shah Kazmi led the rally to Parliament House.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 10^th, 2011.

SOURCE: http://tribune.com.pk/story/165303/parachinaris-await-next-broken-promise/

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Parachinar youth in shrouds stage rally

By A Reporter | From the Newspaper

ISLAMABAD, May 9: Wrapped in shroud, Parachinar youth held a protest rally on Monday from the National Press Club to the D-Chowk demanding opening of road leading to Parachinar.

The organisers said that the rally was aimed at highlighting the woes of the residents of upper Kurrum on the 19th day protest camp established by the Youth of Parachinar in front of press club.The speakers criticised Interior Minister Reham Malik who had announced and promised several times that the Tal-Parachinar road had been opened and it would be made safer for travelling.

"However, he has not given any administrative order for opening the road," Chairman of Youth of Parachinar Ali Shah Kazimi said while addressing the rally at the D-Chowk Parliament house. He said that the reasons are unknown but the interior minister has been making the same announcements for many months.

All protesters were demanding the Government and members of National Assembly to clear and open the Tal-Parachinar road which is closed to the residents of upper Kurrum, only.

"The travellers of upper Kurrum are kidnapped, maimed and killed at this road and the forces are stationed just few kilometres on both sides," Ali Kazmi said.

Deputy Secretary, Majlis Wahdat Muslimeen Pakistan, Allama Ameen Shaheedi said that half a million residents of Parachinar are living in siege by the Taliban, and all the essential commodities including food, fuel and medicines are supplied from Afghanistan to the area.

"Even the residents have to travel to Afghanistan to come to Peshawar," he said adding "this is a matter of shame for the mangers of the state."

The speakers said that the life has been made miserable for the masses, the economy has ruined, educational career of students spoiled, there is shortage of daily essential commodities, hospitals lack the medicines, patients were dying and were being exploited due to closure of one and only Tall-Parachinar road, which connects the Kurram Agency with Peshawar.

The speakers said that the army stationed in Parachinar should be made responsible for securing the road between Peshawar and Parachinar.

The speakers said that the road was almost 250 kilometres from Peshawar to Parachinar but the troubled spot was only a patch of 25-30 kilometres near Tal, and the kidnappings of Parachinar passengers continue despite the agreements between warring tribes to open up the road, which have been guaranteed by the government of Pakistan.

SOURCE: http://www.dawn.com/2011/05/10/parachinar-youth-in-shrouds-stage-rally-2.html

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Identity tip-off enrages CIA

Identity tip-off enrages CIA

For second time in 5 months, Pakistanis give clue to chief's name

By JANE PERLEZ New York Times

Published 12:01 a.m., Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Pakistani children hold hands and chant slogans during a demonstration against al-Qaida and and the U.S, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Monday, May 9 2011. Pakistan's prime minister defended his nation's military and intelligence services on Monday and said Pakistan was not solely to blame for the failure to detect Osama bin Laden's presence in a garrison town close to the capital. The demonstrators who chanted anti- U.S and al-Qaida slogans were demanding the Pakistani government to open a road in the northwest Pakistani town of Parachinar which was closed after several attacks on travellers by alleged Taliban militants killing many people. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)
Pakistani children hold hands and chant slogans during a...
Pakistani children hold hands during a demonstration against al-Qaida and the U.S, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Monday, May 9 2011. Pakistan's prime minister defended his nation's military and intelligence services on Monday and said Pakistan was not solely to blame for the failure to detect Osama bin Laden's presence in a garrison town close to the capital. The demonstrators who chanted anti- U.S and al-Qaida slogans were demanding the Pakistani government to open a road in the northwest Pakistani town of Parachinar which was closed after several aacks on travellers by alleged Taliban militants killing many people. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

SOURCE: http://www.timesunion.com/default/article/Identity-tip-off-enrages-CIA-1372917.php

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Parachinar youths protest against Taliban

Parachinar youths protest against Taliban

Karachi

our correspondent
Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Karachi

The Youths of Parachinar staged a protest rally on Monday against besieging of Parachinar by what they termed Talibans since last four years.

The rally started from Purani Numaish and ended at the Karachi Press Club where a large number of law enforcers cordoned off the entire area and blocked the road leading to the Governor's House. The water cannon carriage was also posted to disperse the protesters.

However, the youths peacefully scattered after their demonstration. The road leading to the KPC apparently was also under siege, as neither vehicles nor the pedestrians were allowed to move in by the LEA deployed on the arterial avenue.

The youth demanded of the Government and the Pakistan Army to immediately establish the writ of the government and take immediate action against the American-Taliban to end the four year-long besiege of Parachanar-Kurram Agency.

The Youth of Parachanar (YoP), an organisation of the Kurram Agency-Parachanar Youths living in Karachi staged protest demonstration in front of Karachi Press Club (KPC)against the years-long siege by the Taliban. The large number of students of various universities and colleges of Karachi hailing from Kurram Agency gathered outside KPC, the participants carried placards inscribed with slogans and chanted against Taliban, and the ruling PPP government over their discriminated behavior with the people of Parachanar.

SOURCE: http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=46009&Cat=4&dt=5/10/2011

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YoP stages sit-in against besiegement of Parachinar

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

YoP stages sit-in against besiegement of Parachinar

KARACHI: The Youths of Parachinar (YoP) on Monday demanded of the government and Pakistan Army to immediately establish government's writ and take immediate action against the Taliban to end the four-year besiegement of Parachinar-Kurram Agency.

The YoP, an organisation of the Kurram Agency-Parachinar Youths living in Karachi, staged a protest demonstration in front of the Karachi Press Club (KPC) against the besiegement of Parachinar. A large number of Parachinar's students from various universities and colleges of Karachi gathered outside the KPC carrying placards inscribe with slogans against the Taliban and the ruling PPP government over their discriminatory behaviour with the Parachinar people.

Addressing the protestors, YoP Karachi chairman Zamin Abbas, and Abbas Ali Turi said that the Taliban terrorists had besieged Kurram Agency-Parachinar for the last four years.

They demanded of president, prime minister, Army chief, SC Chief Justice and other leaders to play their due roles in ending the years long besiegement of the area. staff report

SOURCE: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2011%5C05%5C10%5Cstory_10-5-2011_pg12_7

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Militancy woes: Health care not on the agenda

By Sehrish Wasif

Published: May 8, 2011

Experts reveal the dearth of basic health facilities in the conflict-hit region of Kurram.

ISLAMABAD:

Militancy-hit Kurram Agency is drowning in a sea of trouble, with a daily death rate of 15 to 20 on average because of lack of medical facilities.

With rural health care centres having been destroyed as a result of terrorism, even avoidable diseases often turn out to be fatal.

Kurram tribal agency is located in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and became a frontline region during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in the 1980s.

The once-peaceful valley saw an influx of Afghan jihadis and became rife with sectarian clashes. The agency remains conflict-hit to date because of events following September 11.

Talking to The Express Tribune, a senior gynaecologist from Kurrum Agency said on the condition of anonymity that there is only one public hospital in the region, The Agency Headquarter Hospital, which treats seriously injured people every day. However, due to lack of health facilities and equipment, it fails to provide timely and appropriate treatment.

"Sometimes the hospital receives people with slit throats or missing body parts. Such patients often die on account of not getting timely treatment or lack of professional health care," she said.

She also informed that health professionals from nearby cities like Peshawar are reluctant to come to Kurram due to security reasons. Therefore, local doctors are performing the duties of senior professionals who are inexperienced in fields such as cardiology, pulmonology and neurology, among many others.

Fake and expired medicines coming from Afghanistan is also contributing to the deaths of patients. There are no oxygen cylinders in the hospital and ambulances are frequently attacked by terrorists.

The gynaecologist said that about seven to eight women die during childbirth while 10-13 infants die because of unavailability of oxygen cylinders on a daily basis. Furthermore, the absence of a cold-chain is not maintained for vaccines, decreasing their effectiveness.

Shabbir Sajid, chairperson Society Reformers and spokesperson of Youth of Parachinar, agreed that the existing health facilities in the region are in a deplorable condition.

Sharing some figures, he said a total of 22 Basic Health Units (BHU) in Kurram Agency and 47 civil dispensaries are non-functional, while seven BHUs and 20 dispensaries have been totally destroyed. Also, in public hospitals, there are no oxygen cylinders, X-ray or ultrasound services, or blood bags which result in 20-25 deaths daily.

Serious patients cannot travel to Peshawar or other nearby cities due to the absence of public transport. The only way to travel is by air, which a majority of people cannot afford. "A one way ticket costs Rs 35,000-50, 000," he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 8^th, 2011.

SOURCE: http://tribune.com.pk/story/164246/militancy-woes-health-care-not-on-the-agenda/

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