Violence erupted in the Parachinar area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kurram district on Thursday, resulting in the deaths of eight individuals, including five teachers. The incidents were reportedly the result of a long-standing land dispute in the area, which had already claimed 16 lives in 2021. Unidentified gunmen killed one person in the town’s Shalozan area, after which seven individuals were shot at a school in the Teri Mangal area.
Following the attacks, the Kurram Teachers Association representative announced the closure of all private and public schools, while the board exams for ninth and tenth grades were postponed. Mourners also took to the streets to protest the violence.
Women in the Alizai area held placards demanding the protection of teachers. The Kurram Bar Council President called for the courts to be closed in protest, and hospitals were placed in a state of emergency. The Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and local authorities arrived in Parachinar to meet with tribal leaders and take measures to address the issue.
The dispute over a shamlat land between Gedu and Pewar villages dates back to the 1950s, and a jirga was called to resolve it. However, the issue remained unresolved after Gedu villagers withdrew their agreement, leading to the recent violence. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah have both condemned the incidents and sought reports from relevant authorities.
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Former prime minister Imran Khan also criticized the situation, condemning the killings and questioning the current PM’s decision to travel to the UK during a time of increasing terrorism and economic hardship. The caretaker Chief Minister of KP expressed grief over the loss of lives and vowed to take immediate action against those responsible for the violence.
The incident highlights the need for swift action to address long-standing disputes in the region and protect the lives of teachers and other civilians caught in the crossfire.
