July 25, 2025
By Kaleem Ullah
LAHORE
Different tribes from Lower Kurram and the Sadda region have reached an agreement, under which both parties have signed a peace accord valid for a period of one year. The agreement followed prolonged discussions held at the Frontier Corps Fort, attended by several local elders, the Additional Deputy Commissioner, officers from the security forces, police, and assistant commissioners.
Attaullah, a member of the Kurram Loya Jirga and a signatory to many such agreements, told Voicepk that this development is an extension of the earlier Kohat agreement. He said the jirgah has agreed that all ongoing land disputes between the areas of Lower Kurram and Sadda will be amicably resolved through negotiations and table talks. As long as the agreement remains in place, a ceasefire will be maintained between the tribes.
In late November 2024, sectarian violence erupted in Kurram (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province) following an ambush on a Shia convoy, which killed around 52 people. Retaliatory attacks followed, resulting in over 130 deaths and massive disruptions — with roads sealed off, cutting access to food, medicine, fuel, and essential services. In response, tribal elders and local authorities convened a Grand Jirga in Kohat, which after weeks of deliberations, secured a comprehensive peace accord on January 1, 2025.
In that agreement, all parties committed to 14 points aimed at achieving lasting peace. These included the resolution of land disputes under the supervision of the tribal administration, collection of weapons from individuals, the demolition of existing bunkers within one month, and a ban on the construction of new ones. Anyone launching an offensive after bunker demolition was to be declared a terrorist.
Attaullah welcomed this new agreement and the recent developments, but cautioned that unless the government — which is responsible for supervising these agreements — shows genuine interest and sincerity in their implementation, the process is bound to fail. “We did many agreements, including the much-acclaimed Murree agreement, but they have not yielded any positive results, and the conflict still persists,” he said.
Like Attaullah, local activist Abdul Khaliq Pathan is also wary of this agreement. He believes that while the people are open to agreements, what they truly want is a permanent solution to their problems. He criticized the government for lacking seriousness, particularly in the implementation of these accords.
Voicepk reached out to the Deputy Commissioner of Kurram regarding the lack of implementation by the government and local administration. However, he responded that these are local truces related to law and order.
Despite this, according to news reports, the Deputy Commissioner of Kurram stated that the tribal leaders hailed the agreement as a “milestone for regional stability,” expressing hope for long-term peace and sustained progress. He further added that the participants also praised the role of the security forces, police, and civil administration, acknowledging their efforts in facilitating the accord.