As violence in Pakistan’s restive border town of Parachinar intensified over the past few days, thousands of citizens took out a historic peace march against terrorism, calling for an end to the continued unrest in the region. The protest took place on Thursday morning against the backdrop of rising violence as well as road blockades in Kurram, a district of the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Beginning at the Parachinar Press Club, the march covered a distance of about 15 miles and ended at the Samir Abbas area. Most participants were from the Shia minority community, which has long been a target of sectarian violence in the region.
The protesters called on the authorities to reopen the Thal-Parachinar road, which connects Parachinar to the rest of the country. This road has been closed for about a month, and the blockade has brought daily life and trade in the town to a halt.
Another demand is action against militants targeting the Shia community. On November 5, civilian vehicles were reportedly attacked by these militants, killing two and injuring several others, including women. Further, the protesters have alleged that the Pakistan military has been distributing aid packages only to Sunni-dominated areas in the town, deliberately overlooking Shia areas. The marchers demanded the authorities end this policy of discrimination.
