Kurram Peace Agreement Signed, Ending Violent Clashes

Web Desk — After several days of intense negotiations, the two warring tribes in Kurram have signed a peace agreement comprising 14 points, aimed at restoring peace in the area, which has been plagued by violence for weeks.

Jirga member Malik Sawab Khan said a major peace gathering was held at Kohat Fort to mediate talks between the tribes in the violence-stricken district. The discussions, supervised by Major General Zulfiqar Bhatti, GOC 9 Division, aimed to establish lasting peace between the warring groups, whose clashes have resulted in over 130 deaths since November.

Despite multiple truces declared over the past year, the issue remained unresolved, with tribal elders continuing their efforts to negotiate a permanent peace agreement.

Last week, Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif, Adviser to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister on Information, announced that a consensus had been reached between the rival tribes during the Kurram peace jirga. He further revealed that, through mutual consultation, the forum had granted an additional two days to one party for further discussions with its leadership on unresolved issues.

The recent clashes have worsened the humanitarian crisis in Kurram, with critical shortages of medicine and oxygen due to the prolonged closure of the main highway linking Parachinar to Peshawar. Reports suggest that more than 100 children may have died from the medicine shortage, though Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government spokesperson Barrister Saif has denied these claims.

In addition to the ongoing sit-in at the Parachinar Press Club, road closures have sparked protests in Karachi, which have now entered their ninth day. On Monday, a separate protest was held in Bagan, in lower Kurram, in response to damage to shops and homes in the area. Protesters called for the reopening of roads and assistance for those affected. However, district administration officials cited security concerns, including recent shootings at passenger vehicles and tribal clashes, as the reason for the closures.