The Parachinar Crisis

Bathed in Blood and Deep-rooted in Neglect

Hidden away in the lush valleys of Kurram Agency, in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), lies a city drenched in blood and gripped by decades of sectarian violence. Despite its rich history and key location, Parachinar remains marginalized, and its people continue to endure a silent crisis that is invisible to the world. Political ignorance, humanitarian crises and militancy have reduced the diverse city to killings and rubble. Known for its predominantly Shia population, the city has become a symbol of geopolitical instability, external influence and sectarian violence. This crisis not only impacts Parachinar but questions the morals and security of the entire country.

Road to Conflict: Overview

Sectarianism:

Parachinar has seen centuries of unrest and violence, yet the past few decades have escalated the already volatile region. While most areas of Pakistan host a Sunni majority, Parachinar hosts a Shia majority, which has led to clashes and regional unrest. On one hand, Parachinar lies only 100km from Kabul (the capital of Afghanistan) and is situated near the Durand Line, a contentious, porous border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Consequently, Afghans migrated into the region during the Afghan-Soviet War and brought with them a Sunni culture. In contrast, 1981 km away from Iran, Parachinar’s Shia community has garnered sympathy from Iran (Shia majority). This introduced sectarian militancy in the region, such as the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), and has become a hotbed of insurgency and foreign militancy. Sunni militants are usually held accountable for shootings, school bombings and ambushing Shia processions. Such acts of terror have become a hallmark of this region, leaving hundreds dead and dozens injured. Between 2007 and 2017, the region witnessed over 300 bombings, targeted killings, and armed assaults. More than 1,000 people have been killed, and thousands more have been injured as a direct result of sectarian violence.

Political Ignorance:

Sectarian violence has been allowed to fester by political ignorance and lack of law enforcement. Before 2018, Kurram Agency was a part of FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas), governed by outdated British laws. The cries for help and pleas of representation from this region forced the government’s hand to merge it with KPK and place it under federal law. However, this had no realistic impact. Decades of ignorance, lack of education, infrastructure and health, combined with the heavy-handed tactics of the Pakistan Army, allowed militant groups to take root and organize attacks on civilians. Counter-insurgency operations by the Army, which resulted in civilian deaths, have contributed to resentment among the local people.“We have lived with this fear for many years now. Every day, we wonder if we’ll see the next attack. This is not living; this is surviving.”Dawn News interviewed a resident from Parachinar (2017). As of recent estimates, only 30% of health units in Parachinar are functional. Lack of infrastructure is the main issue, as only 10-15% of the region's roads were made, and less than 20% of schools were refurbished by 2020. 30% of households lack adequate electricity, and 40% of families rely on unclean drinking water.

Humanitarian Crisis:

With the rise in militant insurgency, the lives of locals are gripped by fear and bloodshed. Lack of law enforcement makes Parachinar civilians susceptible to terror attacks which has led to the displacement of over 60,000 people to other cities like Peshawar and even migration to Afghanistan. By 2017, nearly 200,000 people had been affected by the region's instability and volatile nature. Almost 50% of the youth is unemployed, which directly leads to an increase in militants in the area as tensions arise. Young people meant to be a beacon of hope are growing up in an environment of violence, fear and lack of opportunity. Lack of education is exacerbating the cycle of violence and the destruction of infrastructure like hospitals, workplaces, schools and markets hinders the community’s ability to regrow. In 2017, a vicious attack on Shia processions took place, that is, to date, one of the deadliest attacks the region has seen. The attack killed at least 72 people and wounded 150 others. The attack targeted civilians of the Shia Hazara community which Sunni extremist factions like the TTP have heavily targeted.“I was at the market when the blast went off. The explosion was so powerful it lifted me off my feet. I saw people lying on the ground, many of them children. I’ve never experienced anything like this in my life”. According to a Survivor of the Parachinar market bombing (The Express Tribune, 2017). Without education or employment opportunities, many young people see no alternative but to join armed groups or migrate to other parts of the country in search of work.

The Aftermath:

The State and the Army are responsible for protecting its citizens against sectarian differences, external militias and humanitarian crises. If the Parachinar issue remains unchecked, the ouroboros of violence will only grow, and we will begin to see its impact far beyond the Kurram Agency. Such seeds of distrust and unrest must be desiccated as soon as they take root to avoid lasting impacts. If this sectarian violence persists, it will disturb the situation with volatile neighbouring countries, especially Iran and Afghanistan and normalize the marginalization and hostility towards minority communities.

The Path Forward:

The Parachinar crisis is a reflection of the broader challenges faced by Pakistan such as sectarianism, terrorism and underdevelopment. It highlights the need for national unity and political will to address the root causes of this violence and instability. However, it also allows us to change ourselves and eradicate the issue. If community leaders and policymakers are united to solve the issue and protect the rights of Parachinar, we could ensure that future generations inherit a country free from the scars of sectarian violence.

Maida Minhaj, writer at Roshni