After days-long negotiations, the two warring tribes in Kurram sign peace agreement containing 14 points

KOHAT/PESHAWAR, Jan 01 (SABAH): After days-long negotiations, the two warring tribes in Kurram have signed a peace agreement containing 14 points aimed at establishing peace in the area as violence plagued the restive territory for several weeks, Jirga member Malik Sawab Khan said on Wednesday.

Speaking to a private TV channel, Sawab Khan — who is part of the grand jirga — said that 45 people from each warring side have signed the 14-point peace agreement. “Both sides have agreed to hand over their weapons to the government,” he said, warning of the government’s action if either side fails to do so. Furthermore, he said, it was decided in the agreement that all bunkers will be dismantled.

The jirga member added that a committee will be constituted within 15 days to start implementing the agreement, hoping that the situation in restive Kurram would return to normal within a month.

In response to a question, Sawab Khan said that the government would decide on the opening of the roads. “Members of Anjuman-e-Hussainia Association and members belonging to Anjuman-e-Farooqia, gave assent to the accord.”

A grand peace jirga was convened at Kohat Fort to mediate talks between the warring tribes of the violence-hit district. The peace talks, held under the supervision of GOC 9 Division Major General Zulfiqar Bhatti, aimed at establish lasting peace between the warring tribes whose clashes have claimed over 130 lives since November.

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

While announcing the development, KP government spokesperson Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif revealed that one of the warring parties had signed the peace agreement a few days ago, while the other side signed it on Wednesday.

Barrister Saif confirmed that both parties had agreed to surrender their weapons and demolish their bunkers. He stated that the peace agreement would usher in a “new era of peace and development” for the district, emphasizing that calm and security would soon be restored in the once-restive region. He added that convoys would leave for Parachinar on Saturday.

The three-week-long Jirga concluded earlier on Wednesday under the supervision of the Kohat Division Commissioner Moatasim Billah Shah. The agreement signifies mutual cooperation between the parties, the government, and local administration to ensure lasting peace in Kurram.

During Wednesday’s Jirga, it was also decided that the decisions made during the Apex Committee meeting in Peshawar would be implemented. If either party had any concerns, they were advised to approach the Kohat Commissioner or the Divisional Commissioner so that the government could address the concerns promptly.

The parties were given until February 1 to implement the agreement. Within one month, both parties are required to dismantle their bunkers, which were previously constructed for attacks against the other side, and hand over their weapons to the provincial government.