An indefinite ceasefire agreement was reached on Friday between the two warring parties in northwest Pakistan’s restive Kurram district, which has been rocked by sectarian violence, according to officials. Between November 21 and December 2, 133 people were killed in communal clashes between the Alizai and Bagan tribes in Kurram, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
The ceasefire was arranged by a joint session of the Grand Jirga (Tribal Council) established under the Commissioner of Kohat Division, Syed Mutasim Billah Shah, and over 100 members from both sides.
Deputy Inspector General of Police Kohat Sher Akbar Khan was also present in the meeting which was held with the aim of establishing lasting peace in the region. The tribal council members held individual and group meetings with both sides and after a few hours of extensive discussion, an indefinite ceasefire was agreed upon in the district.
It was decided that all pits would remain vacant until the final decision of the council.
Conflict or controversy cannot solve the problem and both sides have committed that time, honesty and mutual trust are needed to achieve a lasting and sustainable solution to the decades-long problem. The council members pledged to continue their efforts until full and lasting peace is established in Kurram.
They stressed the importance of securing a peaceful future and promised to spread the message of peace in their respective areas. Kohat Division Commissioner Shah assured that the government would fulfill its responsibility to ensure lasting peace in Kurram district and maintain the rule of law at all costs.
The clash between the two tribes started after 47 people were killed in an attack on a passenger vehicle convoy near Parachinar on November 22.
Several passengers later died of serious injuries, bringing the convoy’s death toll to 57.