Islamabad | WTNS | Nov 27:In the rugged terrains of Kurram, Pakistan, a grim shadow descended as Takfiri militants unleashed terror on innocent pilgrims. On Thursday, a convoy of passenger vehicles was ambushed, leaving 42 dead, including seven women and a young girl. The chilling attack has once again exposed Pakistan’s inability—or unwillingness—to reign in sectarian violence.
A History Stained with Blood
Kurram, a picturesque yet volatile region bordering Afghanistan, has long been a battleground for sectarian strife. Over the years, disputes between Shia and Sunni groups have escalated into full-blown bloodshed. The latest attack comes amidst an already tense backdrop, where land disputes have mutated into tribal-cum-sectarian feuds.
What makes this massacre particularly disturbing is its familiarity. Parachinar, the heart of Kurram, has often been the epicenter of such violence, with over 2,000 lives lost in past conflicts. Yet, the state’s response remains alarmingly consistent: condemnation, promises, and silence.
State Apathy and Public Fury
While Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called the attack “sheer brutality,” his words ring hollow against the palpable anger of the locals. Tribal elder Mehmood Ali Jan voiced a sentiment widely shared in Kurram: “The security forces were supposed to protect the convoys. They failed.”
This failure has sparked outrage. The Majlis Wahdat-ul-Muslimeen (MWM) has announced nationwide protests, criticizing law enforcement and federal officials for their “criminal silence.” Their general secretary, Syed Nasir Abbas Shirazi, stated, “The rulers want to run this country at the cost of our blood.”
The Iranian Perspective
Neighbouring Iran, which shares cultural and religious ties with Kurram’s Shia population, has also condemned the attack. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani lamented the incident as a reminder of the “criminal nature of Takfiri currents” and called for coordinated global action against such extremist groups.
Wild Behavior of the State
While the militants’ savagery is undisputed, the wild indifference of Pakistan’s government adds insult to injury. Despite repeated peace marches in Parachinar, including one earlier this month urging enhanced security, the state has failed to prevent attacks or hold perpetrators accountable. The unchecked violence raises questions about whether Pakistan’s governing bodies are complicit, indifferent, or simply powerless in the face of extremist ideologies.
Notably, The massacre in Kurram is not an isolated incident but a symptom of a larger malaise—state apathy, deep-seated sectarianism, and militant impunity. As the blood of innocents stains Parachinar once more, one wonders how long the people of Kurram will have to suffer before their cries are heard, and meaningful action is taken.
