January 2, 2025
By Adnan Haider and Rehan Piracha
PARACHINAR/LAHORE
Residents in Parachinar cautiously welcomed the Kurram peace agreement signed in Kohat on January 1, but maintained their protest sit-in would continue till its implementation and reopening of closed roads in the district.
Despite the severe cold and rain, people from all walks of life, including young and old, participated in the main protest sit-in outside the Kurram Press Club in Parachinar on Thursday. However, solidarity protests in major cities were called off, reflecting a broader optimism about the accord’s potential.
Kurram Tehsil Chairman Muzammil Hussain welcomed the peace agreement signed in Kohat on Janauray 1, 2025, to end the tribal clashes in Kurram but said the sit-in was not linked to the peace deal. “The main demand of the protest sit-in is the reopening of the roads to Kurram and ensuring safety of convoys and traffic passing through it,” he told Voicepk.net while participating in the sit-in demonstration, adding that the protesters would call off their sit-in once roads are safely opened for convoys on Saturday and the city can replenish stocks of supplies of medicines, food, and fuel that have been cut off since October 12.
Muzammil Hussain commended the decisions taken in the peace agreement by leaders from both sides, hoping that the troubled district would become a cradle of peace. Similarly, Sajjid Turi, a social activist, said residents in Parachinar have witnessed many peace agreements previously but were disappointed when these were not implemented. “The residents would end their protest demonstration once the points under the agreement are implemented by the provincial government and rival tribes,” he explained.
The cutting off of supplies has depleted stocks of essential goods and led to the closure of business centers, hotels, restaurants, and ATMs in Parachinar. Due to the lack of medicines, patients suffering from cancer, diabetes, blood pressure, heart and other diseases are facing severe difficulties. According to civil society activists, 132 children have died so far due to lack of treatment in public hospitals.
Patient commits suicide after not getting on helicopter ferry service
The government has denied such claims saying that it was supplying medicines and ferrying seriously ill patients to hospitals in Peshawar through a helicopter service. However, local media reports emerged that a seriously ill patient committed suicide after a delay in getting a seat on the government helicopter ferrying patients to Peshawar. Family sources said Qaiser Hussain was trying to get a seat on the helicopter for several days but shot himself dead after getting dejected.
On January 1, in a landmark development for the conflict-ridden Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sunni and Shia tribes signed a much-awaited peace accord. The agreement raises hopes for lasting peace in an area that has suffered deeply from sectarian violence and a debilitating humanitarian crisis.
The 14-point peace agreement, signed after three weeks of intense negotiations in Kohat, marks the culmination of efforts by the provincial government, the Grand Jirga of elders, and local stakeholders. The accord mandates the surrender of arms, demolition of bunkers, resolution of land disputes, and the restoration of critical road access to Parachinar and surrounding regions.
The conflict, rooted in a land dispute, spiraled into sectarian clashes that claimed the lives of over 200 residents and left 500 injured since July. Roads to and from Kurram have been closed since October 12 following an ambush of a convoy in Lower Kurram that resulted in the killing of over 40 people. Subsequent clashes claimed around 130 lives and left scores more injured. The road closure had cut off the district from essential supplies. The prolonged blockade triggered an acute humanitarian crisis, with residents facing severe shortages of food, medicine, and fuel.
Key provisions
The seven-page accord includes significant measures aimed at restoring normalcy:
- Arms ban: Both tribes agreed to a ban on weapons, with law enforcement empowered to confiscate arms and impose fines of up to Rs10 million for violations.
- Road security: A contingent of 400 police personnel and two platoons of paramilitary forces will ensure the safe reopening of roads, with convoys set to resume operations by Saturday.
- Land dispute resolution: Long-standing disputes will be addressed based on revenue records and local traditions, guided by a specially formed land commission.
- Repatriation of displaced persons: Displaced families will return to their homes under the supervision of local authorities, supported by peace committees.
- Bunkers and sectarian activities: Existing bunkers will be dismantled within a month, and the construction of new ones is strictly prohibited. Sectarian outfits are barred from operating in the district.
The agreement also emphasizes the protection of women, the sanctity of bodies, and the right of state employees to work without fear. Social media agitators and those inciting violence will face strict penalties.
Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, the provincial government spokesperson, hailed the agreement as a turning point for Kurram. “This accord is a testament to our collective resolve to end bloodshed and pave the way for development and harmony,” he said.
Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur echoed this sentiment, urging locals to “close ranks and reject those spreading hate.”
While the agreement has brought immediate relief, its success hinges on robust enforcement and trust-building. The dismantling of bunkers and the ban on arms will test the commitment of both sides. The role of the land commission in resolving disputes fairly and expeditiously is also critical.
The coming weeks will reveal whether the accord can withstand the pressures of deep-seated mistrust and sporadic provocations. However, the unanimous endorsement of the pact by tribal elders, government officials, and peace committees offers a glimmer of hope for a district long overshadowed by violence and neglect.