KURRAM: A jirga consisting of tribal elders and officials from both Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to a ceasefire on Saturday after four days of intense clashes on the border in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The skirmishes between the forces of Pakistan and Afghanistan escalated on Friday, leading to significant displacement from villages and settlements near the Kharlachi border crossing in Kurram. The ceasefire has restored peace in the area, and the border crossing is expected to be reopened soon.
Tribal elder Jalal Bangash that the jirga, held at the Kharlachi border crossing, included local elders, clerics, and officials from both sides. The meeting concluded with the decision to form a joint peace committee to maintain peace in the area. The jirga also resolved to address contentious issues amicably.
Given the difficulties faced by people on both sides of the border, the jirga participants agreed to implement the ceasefire fully, with plans to open the crossing immediately. Both sides also agreed to hold another meeting soon to ensure ongoing peace efforts.
Some locals who had evacuated due to the clashes have begun returning following the peace agreement. Shah Nawaz, a local resident, mentioned that the community faced severe hardships due to the clashes, which led to school closures and the suspension of cross-border trade.
Although no official statements were released by the district administration or Inter-Services Public Relations, there were fears of casualties as the forces exchanged fire. During her weekly press briefing on Friday, Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch was questioned about the situation on the Afghan border. However, she reiterated that Pakistan was ready to defend itself against any threats to its security and sovereignty without providing specific details about the clashes.
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