By Asad Abbas Toori

In a remarkable display of unity and bravery, thousands of people from Pakistan’s restive border town of Parachinar embarked on a peace march on Thursday, aiming to restore peace and calm in the violence-marred region.

The historic march to Peshawar came amid escalating violence and road closures in the Kurram district of northwestern Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which borders Afghanistan and faces a severe humanitarian crisis.

The march once again highlighted the need for peace, stability, and governmental action in this impoverished border region, primarily populated by the Turi Bangash community.

Key demands of marchers

The peace march, attended by thousands, began at 10 a.m. local time on Thursday from the Parachinar Press Club and covered a distance of 25 kilometers before concluding at Samir Abbas.

The march was temporarily stopped after local government authorities agreed to the demands presented by the marchers, most of whom belong to the minority Shia community. But it wasn’t called off.

The key demands include the reopening of the Thal-Parachinar road, a vital route connecting Parachinar to the rest of the country, which has been closed for nearly a month, severely impacting daily life and trade in the border town.

Another demand is the unconditional arrest of anti-Shia Takfiri militants, who were responsible for an attack on civilian vehicles in Parachinar on November 5, 2025, resulting in the deaths of two people and injuries to many others, including women.

The third significant demand is an end to discriminatory aid distribution, with protesters accusing the Pakistani military of distributing ration packages solely to Sunni-populated areas in Kurram, neglecting Shia-populated areas.

The demonstrators demanded that this biased approach must end to ensure fair and equal treatment for all local residents.

Government assurances and response

A government delegation met with the marchers and assured them of implementing a three-day convoy system, followed by the establishment of new checkpoints to ensure the safety and security of locals.

However, Mr. Jalal, Secretary of the Central Anjuman Hussainia of Parachinar, expressed skepticism based on past experiences.

He reminded the authorities of the “same promises” made to the people of Parachinar over the past 28 days and stated that they would not call off the march but would remain stationed at Samir Abbas until the authorities take concrete actions to address their legitimate demands.

“If we see concrete actions, we will end our sit-in here. If not, we will move forward, and I will not lead my people back until a solution is reached,” he stated unequivocally.

Local concerns and a peaceful stand

Local residents in Parachinar believe that the Pakistani government has declared Zainabiyoon a “terrorist organization” under external pressure, despite the community’s unwavering loyalty to Pakistan and the lack of evidence of anti-state or anti-national activities.

They fear the military and agencies may seek to designate the entire Parachinar region as a terror zone and impose a blockade to starve the people as a form of provocation in order to appease certain external powers.

In response, the people initiated a peaceful march on Thursday toward Peshawar to demonstrate the non-violent nature of their movement. If their demands are not met, they plan to continue on to Islamabad from Peshawar.

Mr. Jalal conveyed a clear message to the elders of Lower Kurram on Thursday, reiterating Parachinar’s commitment to regional peace and brotherhood.

“I clarified yesterday that I am unarmed and do not support war. Therefore, do not fall into any conspiracy,” he emphasized, underscoring the peaceful intent of the march.

Community’s plight and hopes

Thursday’s peace march received substantial support from the local community, who are firmly opposed to lawlessness and instability and seek the restoration of peace in the belt.

They are committed to non-violent means to achieve their objectives, hoping that this historic peaceful protest will draw the attention of higher authorities and bring them much-needed relief.

As the march progresses toward Peshawar, and potentially to Islamabad afterward, the people of Parachinar are determined to make their voices heard.

Their resolve is a testament to their desire for peace and security in their homeland.

The outcome of this march could set a precedent for addressing conflicts and ensuring the safety and rights of local populations in volatile regions across Pakistan and the South Asia region.