Indefinite ceasefire brokered in Kurram

PESHAWAR:

An indefinite ceasefire has finally been brokered in the volatile Kurram district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P).

In light of the special directions of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, a joint session of a Grand Jirga (tribal council meeting) and both warring sides of Kurram district was held under the chairmanship of Kohat Division Commissioner Syed Motasim Billah Shah on Friday in which certain important decisions were taken for sustainable peace in Kurram district.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Kohat Sher Akbar Khan was also present on the occasion.

The members of the Grand Jirga held individual as well as collective sittings with both sides and, after the hours-long deliberations, agreed on the ceasefire in Kurram district for an indefinite period and to ensure that the bunkers remain empty until the final decision of the Grand Jirga.

Both sides agreed that resolving a problem through war was impossible and that time would definitely be required to arrive at a permanent and durable solution of the decades-long problem. However, they said, sincerity and trust from both sides would be required to bring that about.

Both sides also pledged that for the sake of the future of their younger generations and peace in the region, they would sit in the jirga until the establishment of a complete and lasting peace in the district and would only return to their regions after a peace agreement has been concluded.

The Kohat Commissioner also gave the assurance that the government would fulfil its responsibilities for the establishment of a lasting peace and that the government's writ would be established come what may.

The clashes between rival tribes in Kurram district had continued for 11 consecutive days, leaving more than 130 people dead.

Hospital officials have confirmed that the death toll now stood at 131, with 186 others wounded, according to Express News.

The violence has paralysed life in the region and shut down major routes, including the Peshawar-Parachinar highway and the Pak-Afghan Kharlachi border crossing.

The closures have caused severe shortages of essential supplies including fuel, food and medicines.

According to Deputy Commissioner Javedullah Mehsud, police and security forces have been deployed at various locations in Lower Kurram. He stated that efforts to enforce a ceasefire would be intensified today in other areas as well.

Meanwhile, the Governor of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, along with a tribal council, has arrived in Kohat where he will hold a jirga with the province's political and tribal leadership.

Previously, intense gunfire exchanges have taken place in Lower Kurram between the villages of Talokanj and Jalam, resulting in the death of a key commander along with ten of his associates, while four individuals from the opposing side have also lost their lives.

In Upper Kurram, areas such as Tari Mangal, Pewar, Maqbal, Kunj Alizai, Kharkali and Balichkhel have seen heavy weaponry used throughout the night with the two sides targeting each other.

The clashes have persisted for several days in various parts of Kurram district, following which efforts to halt the violence and establish peace had begun through negotiations.

It is noteworthy that, on November 21, an armed attack in the Mandori Uchit area of Lower Kurram on a convoy of passenger vehicles from Parachinar had claimed the lives of 52 people. The incident had sparked a series of clashes and shootings in the areas of Sangeena, Sadda, Balishkhel, Kharkali, Maqbal, Kunj Alizai, Bagan and Alizai.