Summary: The sectarian strife in Kurram tribal agency has brought many miseries to the residents of the agency. Since April 2007 due to clashes between warring factions the main road connecting Kurram agency to other parts of the country was closed. The other routes to Parachinar from down districts is quite far, time consuming and expensive which the poor tribesmen cannot afford. Traders of Lower Kurram used the Tora Warai dirt road that is scattered with ditches, thus causing damage to supplies during transportation. Upper Kurram traders used to supply goods through the neighbouring Afghanistan but this road is long. They were charged taxes in different areas which would make the commodities costlier. After buying food and other goods from Peshawar and other cities, they would transport them to Kurram via Tal-Parachinar road.

In October 2008, a peace agreement was reached between the two groups which resulted in opening of the main road. However, after two months the situation again deteriorated and the road was once again blocked for public transport. These days the convoys twice a month are escorted by the security forces into the troubled agencies. But these convoys often wait for long to get a go-ahead.

The reporter talked with number of traders who narrated their sufferings due to the closure of Thal-Parachinar road.

The Message: The reporter tried to highlight the miseries of the business community of Kurram tribal agency. He talked with traders of the agency headquarters Parachinar city. The traders said for the last three years their business affected due to the closure of Thal-Parachinar road. They said earlier the business activity in the agency was quite good and they were earning enough money. They said previously they would send the money online and would get the supplies on a phone call. They said the suppliers in big cities now do not contact or trust them. The losses had a ripple effect on the economic conditions of the individuals. The families of the traders had also suffered, like other people, due to the situation. As measures to end their problems, they said a durable peace must be brokered between the Shais and Sunnis living in Kurram Agency to end