Following extended negotiations, two rival tribes in Kurram have reached a historic agreement, signing a 14-point peace deal aimed at restoring stability in the violence-stricken region. The agreement was confirmed by Jirga member Malik Sawab Khan, who revealed that 45 representatives from each side have endorsed the accord.
Under the terms of the deal, both parties agreed to surrender their weapons to the government and dismantle all bunkers. The agreement includes provisions for the formation of a committee within 15 days to oversee its implementation, with hopes for peace to prevail within a month.
Kohat Commissioner Syed Motasim Billah Shah also confirmed the development, stating that most representatives have signed the agreement, with only three signatures pending.
A grand jirga held at Kohat Fort facilitated the dialogue between the tribes, under the supervision of GOC 9 Division Major General Zulfiqar Bhatti. The effort seeks to establish lasting peace in a region that has seen over 130 fatalities since November due to tribal clashes.
Although previous truces were short-lived, this agreement marks a significant step forward. Adviser to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister on Information, Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif, had earlier announced a general consensus during the peace jirga, with additional time granted for final consultations on unresolved points.
The clashes have exacerbated a humanitarian crisis in Kurram, with road closures disrupting essential supplies. Medicine and oxygen shortages have reportedly led to child fatalities, though government officials have disputed these claims.
Protests against the prolonged road closures continue in Parachinar, Karachi, and Bagan, with demonstrators demanding the reopening of roads and aid for affected residents. Authorities cite security risks, including tribal violence and attacks on vehicles, as the reason for the closures.
