KP govt confirms Kurram peace jirga talks have not ended

Adviser to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister (CM) on Information and Public Affairs Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif on Monday denied reports claiming that the Kurram peace talks concluded without reaching a consensus between the provincial government and tribal leaders.

“The Kurram [peace] jirga is not over [....] The reports regarding the dissolution of jirga are baseless,” clarified the KP government's spokesperson in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Saif further clarified that the relevant parties requested an additional 24 hours for deliberation regarding the removal of bunkers and collection of weapons.

The statement was given after it was reported on Sunday that the nine-day-long tribal jirga had failed to reach a consensus due to differences with the provincial government, with jirga member Syed Raza Hussain saying that certain points could not be agreed upon.

Clashes between two clans erupted when a convoy comprising of 200 vehicle passengers, while en route to Peshawar in escort, came under attack on November 21 at Lower Kurram area of Manduri Charakhel and Ochat on the Peshawar-Parachinar Highway, leading to 52 casualties and multiple wounded.

This was followed by retaliatory strikes from another tribe, targeting the Bagan Village, in which several individuals were also dead. Subsequently, clashes between the warring clans further escalated.

The deteriorating security situation severely disrupted daily life in Kurram. Food, petrol, and medical supplies are critically low, with residents struggling to access essential services due to road closures.

It merits a mention that the KP district, Kurram, has a long history of tribal warfare. Over the years, the land dispute conflict has involved heavy weaponry and rocket attacks, resulting in thousands of deaths and displacing many families.

On Monday, Barrister Saif underscored the necessity of disarmament and elimination of bunkers as per the provincial cabinet's decision.

“It is necessary to eliminate bunkers and clear the area of weapons for lasting peace,” Saif said while stressing the need to avoid propaganda on social media platforms.

Acknowledging that the provincial government was aware of the problems faced by the people due to road closures, the provincial government's spokesperson also said that essential medicines are being delivered to the area via CM's helicopter.

Noting that the injured were being airlifted to Peshawar, Saif said that CM Gandapur had directed the Food Department to deliver 2,000 metric tonnes of wheat to the Kurram district.