KOHAT: The warring tribes in Kurram have finally signed a 14-point peace agreement. This historic accord, reached after days of negotiations, aims to restore peace in the conflict-hit area, said Jirga member Malik Sawab Khan on Wednesday.
A grand peace jirga was held at Kohat Fort to mediate the talks between the rival tribes. Major General Zulfiqar Bhatti, GOC 9 Division, supervised the discussions. The primary goal was to end the violence that has plagued the district, claiming over 130 lives since November.
Despite several temporary truces over the past year, tribal elders struggled to resolve the conflict permanently. Last week, Adviser to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister on Information, Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif, announced that a general consensus had been reached during the Kurram peace jirga. However, the forum granted an additional two days to one tribe for further discussions on unresolved issues.
The recent clashes worsened the humanitarian crisis in Kurram. The prolonged closure of the main highway connecting Parachinar to Peshawar led to severe shortages of medicine and oxygen. Reports indicate that over 100 children may have died due to the lack of medical supplies. However, Barrister Saif denied these claims.
The crisis has also sparked protests. A sit-in continues at the Parachinar Press Club, while protests in Karachi have entered their ninth day. On Monday, residents of Bagan in lower Kurram staged a protest over the destruction of shops and homes. They demanded the reopening of roads and assistance for those affected.
District officials cited security concerns for keeping the roads closed. Recent incidents, including firing on passenger vehicles and tribal clashes, have added to the challenges. Despite the difficulties, the Kurram peace agreement offers hope for lasting stability in the region.
