Peshawar, January 3, 2025: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has announced that any faction engaging in aggression in Kurram district after the dismantling of existing bunkers will be classified and prosecuted as terrorists.
Barrister Muhammad Saif, Adviser to the KP Chief Minister, stated on Friday that disarmament and bunker removal are underway, following decisions made by the Apex Committee to ensure lasting peace. Both conflicting sides have been given a 15-day deadline to present detailed disarmament plans, while a strict ban on the public display of weapons and fundraising for arms has been enforced.
“All existing bunkers must be dismantled within a month. Any violation after this period will be met with strict action,” said Saif. Travel and security arrangements for convoys heading to Kurram are also in progress, with the main Peshawar-Parachinar highway set to reopen soon.
A peace accord signed by representatives from both tribes after 50 jirga sessions in Kohat aims to restore stability in Kurram, a region long troubled by sectarian violence. The agreement, comprising 14 key points, mandates disarmament and the dismantling of all private bunkers.
With a population exceeding 600,000, Kurram has experienced recurrent violence, despite earlier ceasefires. Recent clashes since July have resulted in over 200 deaths, intensifying a humanitarian crisis as prolonged road closures cut off vital medical supplies.
In response, the provincial government declared Kurram a disaster-hit district, airlifting essential supplies and evacuating critically ill residents. Although reports claim over 100 children died due to medicine shortages, Saif dismissed these allegations.
Ongoing protests in Karachi and Bagan demand the reopening of roads and compensation for affected residents. However, authorities cited persistent security risks, including recent firing incidents, as reasons for the closures.
Saif reaffirmed the government’s resolve to implement the peace pact, which he described as a historic effort to end a century-old conflict. “The dismantling of bunkers and de-weaponisation of the region will ensure sustainable peace,” he said.
