Parachinar and the dream of perpetual peace

Parachinar, the capital of District Kurram in Kohat Division of K-P, has long stood as a grim symbol of the country's unresolved sectarian conflict. Over the years, this once peaceful region has been transformed into a flashpoint of violence between various residual communities.

Parachinar's sectarian crisis is not merely ideological. It is also deeply rooted in local disputes particularly over land and worsened by regional geopolitics. During the Soviet-Afghan War in the 1980s, Parachinar's strategic location near the Afghan border made it a key corridor for fighters and weapons. Arms supplied to Afghan mujahideen by foreign powers eventually flooded local markets. Both Sunni and Shia groups in Kurram accessed these weapons, heavily militarising the region and enabling small conflicts to erupt into deadly confrontations.

The spread of weapons was accompanied by inflammatory religious rhetoric. Certain clerics openly incited hatred, labelling opposing sects as heretical. As a result, mistrust and hatred between communities deepened.

The 2000s brought further instability. Despite bans on extremist groups by Gen Musharraf, sectarian killings and suicide attacks increased. Parachinar witnessed repeated cycles of violence, often involving attacks on religious ceremonies and public gatherings. The rise of TTP further complicated the situation. The group targeted Shias and blocked key access routes, notably the Thall-Parachinar Road, isolating the region and increasing the local population's sense of abandonment.

Although the Thall-Parachinar Road is now open under military protection, tensions remain high. The people of Parachinar still live in fear, and mutual distrust between sects continues. Efforts at reconciliation have repeatedly failed due to a lack of political will, weak law enforcement and continued circulation of arms and extremist narratives. If Parachinar is to see peace, urgent action is needed across several fronts.

First, hate speech on social media and in public spaces must be curbed. The government must hold accountable individuals who use religion to incite violence, regardless of sect. Social media accounts promoting sectarian hate should be banned, and overseas individuals spreading extremism should face legal or diplomatic consequences. Clear punishment is necessary to deter future hate campaigns.

Second, land disputes in the area should be resolved through a transparent and impartial land commission. Instead of allowing these disputes to fester and become proxies for sectarianism, the state should promote community-focused development. Projects such as hospitals, schools, vocational training centres and public offices built on disputed land could benefit both communities and reduce tensions.

Third, religious leaders must be part of the solution. The government should empower moderate clerics from both sects to use their influence to promote harmony through Friday sermons and public outreach. At the same time, strict legal action must be taken against those who deliver provocative and violent rhetoric.

Equally important is police neutrality. Currently, sect-based appointments in local law enforcement lead to biased handling of incidents. This fuels further mistrust and escalates disputes. The government must ensure that police forces are professionally trained, neutral and responsive to conflict without favouritism.

Parachinar's tragedy is a reflection of state neglect and flawed religious policy, but all is not lost. With firm political will, responsible religious leadership, unbiased law enforcement and strong community engagement, the cycle of violence can be broken.

The government has now taken steps toward peace, including opening transport routes, community engagement, better policing, deweaponisation campaigns and regulation of religious discourse. These efforts must be sustained and expanded to ensure long-term reconciliation.

Justice, dialogue and firm governance can protect future generations and ensure they inherit a peaceful and united society, free from the scars of sectarian hatred.