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Express Tribune
17-02-2025
- Express Tribune
Gunmen target relief convoy in Kurram, loot trucks
Listen to article A convoy of 130 vehicles, including five oil tankers, was ambushed by unidentified armed assailants in Kurram district on Monday. The convoy, which was traveling from Tall to Parachinar, came under attack near Char Khel in Lower Kurram. The attackers opened fire on the convoy, halting the vehicles and looting supplies, including a truck carrying medicines. Police sources confirmed that Akram Khan, a driver from Peshawar, was injured in the incident and was transferred to Ali Zai Hospital for treatment. Security forces responded to the attack, with gunfire also reported in the nearby Uchit and Dad Qamar areas. The district administration later confirmed that 113 vehicles reached their destination safely, while efforts were ongoing to secure the remaining vehicles. Officials warned that any attempts to disrupt peace would result in strict legal action. Meanwhile, local authorities are continuing their efforts to enforce peace in the region by demolishing illegal bunkers, with 183 already dismantled. The security situation in the area has led to the blockage of land routes since November 2024, which has caused shortages of essential goods, including food and petroleum products. Local residents reported that petrol pump owners are charging arbitrary prices for petrol, with drivers restricted to purchasing only 5 to 10 liters at a time. According to Syed Ikhlaq Hussain, Chairman of the Upper Kurram Qabad Shah Khel, the price of petrol has increased from Rs1000 per liter two days ago to Rs1200 per liter as of last night.
Express Tribune
13-02-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Petrol hits Rs1200 per litre in Kurram, diesel unavailable amid road blockages
Listen to article In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's tribal district of Kurram, petrol is being sold at an alarming rate of Rs1200 per litre due to the prolonged closure of roads, according to media reports. Since November 2024, the security situation in the area has led to the blockage of land routes, resulting in limited vehicle movement and shortages of essential goods, including food and petroleum products. Local residents report that petrol pump owners are charging arbitrary prices for petrol, and drivers are restricted to purchasing no more than 5 to 10 litres at a time. According to Syed Ikhlaq Hussain, Chairman of the Upper Kurram Qabad Shah Khel, "Two days ago, the price of petrol was Rs1000 per litre, but as of last night, the price has increased to Rs1200 per litre." He further noted that while petrol is available in small quantities, diesel is completely unavailable in the market. Local dealer Nawab Ali explained that since November, oil tankers have not been supplying fuel to the area due to the deteriorating security situation. "After the breakdown of law and order, road access was restricted, but following negotiations with the jirga (tribal council), some vehicles have started arriving in convoys," he said. However, Ali added that while food supplies are arriving, oil tankers have not been allowed to enter the region. Ali also claimed that heavy bribes are being demanded at the Taal checkpoint, causing significant financial losses to the drivers. "There is a shortage of petrol for vehicles leaving Kurram, leading to overcrowding at petrol stations," he said. Gul Nawaz Afridi, President of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Petroleum Association, informed that local dealers in Kurram have a limited number of vehicles, and oil tanker owners from nearby districts are unwilling to send their trucks to Kurram. "Due to fears of attacks on the convoys in Kurram, oil tankers are not entering the district, leading to a fuel shortage," Afridi explained. He assured that the local petroleum association officials are in contact, and the fuel issue will be resolved soon. In response, district administration officials stated that efforts are underway to address the petrol shortage. Discussions have been held with oil tanker dealers and petrol pump owners, and security arrangements will be made to ensure oil tankers reach Parachinar, the main city of Kurram. It is pertinent to note that in November 2024, a gun attack on a convoy travelling from Kurram to Peshawar led to a tribal conflict, severing Kurram's links with other districts.
