A seven-day ceasefire was reached between two warring tribes in the Kurram District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday, following extensive efforts by the provincial government to mitigate the violence that has devastated the region.
The ceasefire, seen as a pivotal step toward peace, comes after weeks of deadly clashes that have claimed 64 lives, with casualties rising in recent days. The agreement follows the provincial government’s decision to establish a high-powered commission to resolve long-standing land disputes between the tribes. Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, the chief minister’s adviser on information, confirmed the details of the truce, stating, “The ceasefire was agreed upon for seven days between the tribes, both of which also decided to return each other’s bodies and prisoners.”
The violence peaked earlier in the week when a convoy of around 200 vehicles came under heavy fire on Thursday in Bagan town, resulting in 43 deaths. Another 21 people were killed in clashes on Saturday, while intense fighting on Friday left over 30 injured. Despite the ceasefire, sporadic gunfire persisted in Lower Kurram until Saturday evening, leaving residents on edge.
Government representatives held meetings with leaders from the Shia and Sunni tribes in an effort to mediate the conflict. Delegations met with the Shia tribe on Saturday and the Sunni tribe on Sunday, before returning to Peshawar. Barrister Saif expressed optimism about the progress, stating, “There are positive developments in engagements with stakeholders,” as reported by Reuters.
While the ceasefire has temporarily halted the violence, political leaders have called for swift action to ensure long-term peace. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari criticised the provincial government for its perceived inaction, saying, “On one hand, the Kurram district is burning in the fire of unrest, and on the other, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is absent from the scene.” He further accused the PTI-led government of failing to protect citizens, describing its silence as being “an ally of the terrorists.”
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai also voiced her concern over the escalating violence. “My heart aches for the families of Parachinar, Kurram, as sectarian violence escalates and affects every part of daily life, including schools,” she said in a statement on X. She urged the government and security forces to prioritize the safety of the people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, adding, “Pakistan’s government and security forces must work together to keep people safe. The people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa deserve to live in peace.”
As the ceasefire holds, attention now shifts to the government’s efforts to address the underlying causes of the conflict and work toward a sustainable resolution in Kurram.
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