The Kohat Grand Peace Jirga, held to address the ongoing Kurram Peace Crisis, failed to achieve consensus, confirmed sources on Thursday. Discussions, which have been ongoing for a week, will continue today. They aim to restore calm and reopen the region’s blocked central highway.
The worsening security situation in Kurram has severely impacted residents. Essential items like food, petrol, and medicines are critically low. People face immense challenges accessing basic services. Gas shortages have forced many tandoors and restaurants to shut down, deepening the community’s suffering.
Addressing the grand jirga, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Adviser on Information Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif called for unity and collaboration. He emphasized that peace is only possible when hatred is eliminated. Saif assured participants that the provincial government is taking steps to help the region. These measures include delivering medicines via helicopters and exploring air travel services.
Saif highlighted the need to remove private bunkers from the main highway. He also stressed disarming the area of heavy weapons. Both tribes, he said, desire peace, but certain groups with vested interests fuel the Kurram Peace Crisis. He urged public cooperation to identify and address these elements. Strict action will be taken against those obstructing peace efforts.
Saif encouraged the grand jirga to find a lasting resolution to the conflict. He expressed hope that the ceasefire agreement would be upheld in the long term. Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has also formed a committee to monitor the peace process between the warring tribes.
District Commissioner Javedullah Mehsud shared updates on ongoing efforts to assist affected residents and stabilize the area. However, locals have demanded a permanent resolution. They stressed the need to reopen the Peshawar-Parachinar highway for lasting peace.
Violence in Kurram, which began last month, has already claimed over 130 lives. On Tuesday, elected representatives from the district called for a de-weaponisation campaign in both lower and upper Kurram to address the situation.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has sent relief goods worth Rs150 million to assist those impacted by the violence. These items have been handed over to the deputy commissioner for distribution.
Last week, an All Parties Conference (APC) raised concerns over the deteriorating law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The APC reported over 200 fatalities from the Kurram Peace Crisis this year. It blamed poor governance at both the federal and provincial levels for the crisis. The conference also called for urgent action, including releasing funds allocated to tribal districts under the National Finance Commission (NFC) award, which has been on hold for more than two years.
