After days of violent clashes in the Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a temporary ceasefire was brokered between the warring groups following the efforts of a government jirga. The truce, which lasts seven days, aims to de-escalate a situation that has claimed nearly a hundred lives and many wounded. Advocate Muhammad Ali Saif, an adviser to the KP government and a member of the delegation, confirmed that both sides had agreed to a seven-day ceasefire and would return prisoners and bodies to each other as part of the ceasefire. The jirga returned to Peshawar after meeting the Shias yesterday and the Sunnis today. The violence, which is taking place in areas like Bagan, Alizai, Balshakhel, Khar Kalay, Maqbal and Kunj Alizai, has left at least 75 dead and over 80 injured in the past three days, according to police reports. In the last 24 hours alone, 31 people lost their lives and another 12 were reported in fresh fires. The latest spate of violence follows an attack on private vehicles two days ago in the Lower Kurram region that left 45 dead. Since then, the law and order situation in the area has deteriorated again and retaliatory attacks have caused further loss of life and injuries. On the other hand, a provincial government delegation reached Parachinar to address the situation in Kurram district on the instructions of KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapura. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government spokesperson Barrister Saif said the delegation included him, provincial law minister Aftab Alam, chief secretary Zahid Nadeem Aslam, IGP Akhtar Hayat Gandapur, commissioner Kohat and DIG, among others. On Saturday evening, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur presided over a critical video link meeting to review the latest situation in Kurram district which has been rocked by violence for the past few days. The government delegation sought suggestions for an upcoming meeting with elders in Parachinar to resolve the conflict and informed the CM about these suggestions and demands. Gandapur said the government was working towards a peaceful and lasting solution to the Kurram conflict, adding that he was personally monitoring the situation in the region. “Yesterday’s incident is extremely regrettable and condemnable. I share the grief of the bereaved families,” he noted. The CM further said that the government is trying to ensure that similar tragic incidents do not recur. “We will decide on the next course of action based on proposals and discussions with tribal elders,” he added. Gandapur emphasized that the legitimate demands of the parties will be definitely met. He said the government delegation should sit with elders and parties involved in the area and come up with final proposals. “A cease-fire is necessary in this area in order to move towards a solution to the conflict,” he emphasized. He proposed a truce to both sides involved in the conflict so that progress could be made towards a solution. “Establishing peace in this area is the highest priority of the provincial government at present,” the CM insisted. All available options will be used to bring peace, Gandapur explained, adding that negotiations are the best means to resolve all issues. “The matter will be resolved peacefully through a jirga according to Pashtun traditions,” he noted.
