The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has formed a high-level parliamentary jirga to ensure sustainable peace in Kurram, a region plagued by sectarian tensions.
The decision was announced during the provincial cabinet’s 18th meeting, presided over by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, reported the 24NewsHD TV channel on Monday.
The cabinet was briefed on a 22-point agenda, focusing on addressing unrest in Kurram. A grand jirga, comprising local elders, will remain in Kurram until peace is fully restored. The jirga is tasked with identifying disruptive elements and fostering unity among communities.
Officials revealed that provocateurs fuelling sectarian hatred will be treated as terrorists and placed on Schedule IV. Additionally, 65 checkpoints will be established along the Kurram Highway by Frontier Constabulary platoons to secure the area.
The meeting highlighted significant human and economic losses:
Casualties: 133 deaths and 177 injuries reported so far.
Compensation: 380 million PKR allocated for victims, with more funds available if needed.
Weapons Collection: Heavy arms will be confiscated, and illegal bunkers dismantled.
The cabinet also decided to provide financial aid to the families of victims and compensate for property damages. Efforts are underway to facilitate the dignified return of displaced families, with a dedicated parliamentary committee formed to oversee the process.
To bolster security, bulletproof and bomb-proof vehicles are being provided to civil administration and Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) units in Kurram and other sensitive districts.
Speaking at the meeting, CM Gandapur emphasised that the unrest in Kurram is not a terrorism issue but a result of deliberate sectarian provocation.
“Those spreading hatred are terrorists and will be dealt with accordingly,” he said, urging local leaders to cooperate in identifying these elements.
The Chief Minister stressed the importance of road safety, adequate medical supplies, and immediate relief for displaced families. He assured that the jirga will play a pivotal role in resolving the issue peacefully.
According to the APP, security forces and police were deployed after the ceasefire in the restive Kurram areas. Following a renewed ceasefire between rival groups in Kurram district, the personnel of security forces and police have been deployed in restive areas to maintain peace.
Deputy Commissioner Kurram, Javed Mehsud, said on Monday that police and security forces have been deployed, and efforts to extend the ceasefire to the other areas are ongoing.
He said it is a much more positive and encouraging development, adding that the 11-day-long clashes and unrest had resulted in significant loss of lives and created immense hardships for the local population.
The closure of main roads, including the Peshawar-Parachinar central highway and the Pak-Afghan Kharlachi border, has severely disrupted daily life in the district.
Shortages of fuel, food, and medicines have added to the public’s difficulties. It is crucial to reopen these routes immediately to provide relief to the people.
To make the ceasefire sustainable, the government and local leadership must work together on collective measures to restore lasting peace in the region and address the challenges faced by the residents, said Mehsud.
Reporter: Amir Shehzad