Kurram grand jirga finally reaches an agreement

Kurram grand jirga has finally reached an agreement after both sides of the conflict sign peace agreement on Wednesday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Spokesperson of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s provincial government Barrister Saif has confirmed that Kurram’s warring tribes have signed the peace deal. He said one side has singed the agreement few days back while the second party inked the accord on Wednesday. 

Barrister Saif said both sides have agreed that bunkers will be demolished and heavy weapons will be handed over to the administration. 

Spokesperson of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s government has congratulated the resident of Kurram, adding that with the implementation of peace deal, new era of peace and development will start in the district. According to official, the warring tribes have agreed that decisions taken during provincial APEX Committee meeting will be implemented in letter and spirit. 

KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur had lauded the development, saying the provincial government’s efforts for a peaceful resolution of the issue had borne fruit. He said the signing of the agreement is a significant step towards a sustainable resolution of the Kurram issue. 

“I welcome this significant step and congratulate all the partners. I hope this agreement will provide a strong foundation for a sustainable resolution of the Kurram issue,” he said in a statement. Gandapur said this agreement is a clear message to the elements spreading hatred between the parties that the people of the region are peace-loving. I appeal to the parties to reject the elements spreading hatred and create unity in their ranks. 

The chief minister said that fighting and violence were not the solution to any problem, adding that issues and disputes should always resolved through negotiations.

The seven-page peace agreement has 14 points to which both parties agreed along with the Grand Jirga members. The document stated that members of the Kurram Peace Committee and both sides would be bound to uphold the Muree Agreement 2008 and all other agreements for the benefit of locals and establishment of peace. 

The agreement allowed the authorities to take strict action against those trespassing on roads while village and peace committee would also cooperate with government and law enforcement agencies. 

In case of any untoward incident on main road, the area people would be bound to prove their innocence in line with the Kurram district traditions. 

It said those harbouring and feeding miscreants would be considered guilty under the law and traditions. The decisions of the KP Apex Committee would be followed to ensure the security of the road. Regarding the repatriation of displaced persons under the Murree Agreement, the jirga agreed that they would be rehabilitated in their native areas and no hurdles would be created in this process. To this effect, a sub-committee would be formed under the chairmanship of the Kurram deputy commissioner, assisted by the district police officer and two members each from Upper and Lower Kurram sides. This committee would be responsible for addressing the hurdles and reservations regarding the repatriation of displaced persons.

In addition to this, the longstanding land disputes in Gedu, Pewar Alizai, Balishkhel, Dandar, Ghoz Ghari, Nisti Kot, Kunj Alizai, Shorko, Sadda and Bagan Alizai would be resolved in the light of revenue record, local traditions and the land commission terms of reference.

The land commission would immediately start working in the designated areas and the peace committee, district administration and law enforcement agencies would lend support to it. Similarly, in those areas where Section 144 was already imposed, both parties would be made to implement previous orders as well as previously resolved disputes. The jirga also agreed to ban the display of weapons and collecting donations for purchasing arms. 

Both parties would provide course of action to authorities within a fortnight regarding bans on arms in line with provincial cabinet’s decision.

It also said that both the sides would not use arms and weapons against each other after signing the agreement and in case of violation, the government with the assistance of the peace committee would take action against the culprits. Besides, law enforcement agencies would also confiscate the arms from the area locals and a fine of Rs10 million would be imposed on the village and area in question. To ensure peace in the district, no person or tribe would be allowed to turn their personal disputes into sectarian ones. In addition to this, there would be a ban on outlawed sectarian outfits opening offices and working in the area and action would be taken in case of violation.

In addition to this, no hurdles and restrictions would be allowed on roads. Both sides also agreed to ensure protection of those seeking shelters and to prevent the dishonour of women and desecration of bodies. All those employed by the state and private entities, including teachers, judicial staff and others, would be allowed to work in any part of the district without any fear. Local elders would be bound to provide security to these employees in line with the Pakhtun tradition of hospitality. Those fomenting hate on social media would be dealt strictly and would be regarded as enemies of both sides.

In case of any untoward incident in any area, the peace committees would immediately get into action and the other aggrieved party would not react to the incident. Besides, village peace committees would help law enforcement agencies in bringing the situation under control. In addition to this, in case of issues between two villages; other villages and sects would not stand in support of their own and the peace committee would try to settle the issue. There would be a complete ban on construction of bunkers in the area and those already existing would be destroyed within a month. Besides, whichever side went to war after the destruction of bunkers would be considered as terrorists by the authorities. The document said that the ceasefire would be a permanent one and both sides would not violate it. 

Reporter: Mohsin Shehrazi