As the death toll in days-long clashes in Kurram has crossed 100 mark, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has called on the federal government to provide Frontier Corps (FC) platoons to maintain peace in the province, setting aside political differences for the greater good.
Speaking at a grand jirga convened in Kohat to address the ongoing Kurram district conflict on Saturday, Gandapur said, "Political differences between federal and provincial governments are secondary. The priority must be peace in the region, and for this, the federal government must deploy FC platoons".
He instructed security personnel to adopt a zero-tolerance approach, saying anyone disrupting peace will be treated as a terrorist.
As of Saturday, two more people had been killed and 10 injured in firing incidents in Kurram district.
Hospital sources stated¬ that the over the past 10 days, the death toll has risen to 124, with 178 injured.
Meanwhile, burnt bodies of four abducted individuals have been recovered.
Mobile and internet services remain suspended and educational institutions in the district are closed.
The chief minister assured the jirga that the provincial government, with the support of the army, police, and local administration, is making concerted efforts to establish lasting peace in the area.
He further said that at the provincial government's request, the military has been deployed in the area to support peace efforts alongside police and local administration.
The chief minister also instructed the authorities to dismantle all bunkers in the region without discrimination. "The local community must identify those responsible for disturbing peace, while local elders play their part in dispelling animosity and fostering reconciliation among the conflicting parties," he urged.
Gandapur further ordered the collection of heavy weaponry from residents, including arms held by communities in border areas.
The chief minister urged both parties in the conflict to adopt the path of dialogue, saying that violence was never the solution.
"Negotiations are the only way forward, and we are committed to resolving this issue peacefully through jirga traditions," he said. He called upon the local leadership to play an active role in dispelling animosity and fostering reconciliation between the conflicting sides.
Furthermore, Gandapur directed the administration to collect heavy weaponry from residents in the area, including arms held by communities along the border.
He assured the temporary displaced persons (TDPs) from the conflict-hit areas that funds for their rehabilitation would be released on a priority basis and their dignified return ensured.
"Sustainable peace is in the best interest of the community, the region, and the government," he added.
During the grand jirga, senior officials from divisional and district administrations briefed the chief minister on the latest law and order developments, ceasefire efforts and government initiatives aimed at achieving lasting peace in the region.
Prominent attendees of the jirga included MNAs Shehryar Khan Afridi, Hamid Hussain and Yusuf Khan, provincial cabinet members Aftab Alam Khan Afridi, Pakhtoon Yar Khan, Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, MPA Shafi Jan, Chief Secretary Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry, IGP Akhtar Hayat Khan, Additional Chief Secretary for Home Affairs Muhammad Abid Majeed, and other senior officials.
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