Bridging divide in Kurram

Despite the peace agreement, Kurram's situation remains dire with ongoing hardships due to the blockade.

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Despite the peace agreement signed last week, the situation in Kurram remains precarious, with the residents enduring severe hardships due to the closure of the Thall-Parachinar Road for more than three months. This blockade has cut off access to essential services, including emergency medical aid, leaving the population in a state of acute distress. While reports of some emergency aid convoys reaching the area offer some relief, the tension in the region remains palpable, and the current state of affairs is untenable.

The government's response thus far has been inadequate, and the reliance on local jirgas to mediate the conflict shows a concerning abdication of state responsibility. Moreover, negotiating from a position of weakness risks emboldening insurgents and perpetuating the cycle of violence. The arrests following the Bagan attack, including those of suspects and elders who refused to sign the peace agreement, may offer short-term appeasement but do little to address the underlying causes of the conflict. While jirgas do hold cultural significance, they lack the capacity to address the broader socio-political complexities of the longstanding crisis. The state must take a more assertive role in resolving the conflict. Heavy-handed measures may be necessary to restore order, but they must be balanced with efforts to rebuild trust and demonstrate a commitment to the welfare of the affected population. The state must assert its authority and demonstrate that it can provide security and basic services to all its citizens, regardless of their geographic location. Failure to do so will not only undermine the state's legitimacy but also leave regions like Kurram vulnerable to further instability and suffering.

Without decisive intervention, Kurram will remain a flashpoint of instability, undermining the state's credibility and leaving its citizens to suffer in a prolonged state of siege. The time for remedial measures has passed. Ensuring the safe passage of relief convoys, reopening vital access routes and addressing the root causes of the conflict must be done with a firm resolve.