Kohat, December 11, 2024 – The Kohat Grand Peace Jirga, convened to address the ongoing crisis in Kurram district, failed to reach a consensus, according to a private news channel citing unnamed sources.
The jirga discussions, ongoing for nearly a week, are set to continue today, focusing on restoring peace and reopening the region’s central highway, which has been blocked for weeks.
The worsening security situation in Kurram has severely disrupted daily life. Food, petrol, and medical supplies are critically scarce, leaving residents struggling to meet basic needs. Gas shortages have forced the closure of tandoors and restaurants, further aggravating the humanitarian crisis.
Speaking at the jirga, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Adviser on Information, Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, called for unity and cooperation to end the conflict.
“Hatred must end for war to cease,” he said. Saif assured attendees that the provincial government is taking concrete measures, including delivering medical supplies via helicopters and exploring the restoration of air travel to the region.
He also stressed the urgency of removing private bunkers along the central highway and disarming the area of heavy weaponry. Saif highlighted that while both tribes desire peace, certain elements with vested interests continue to perpetuate the conflict. He urged public cooperation to identify and address these disruptive forces, pledging strict action against those undermining peace efforts.
Barrister Saif expressed hope that the ceasefire agreement would hold in the long term and urged the jirga participants to work towards a permanent resolution. He also mentioned that Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has formed a special committee to oversee the peace process between the warring tribes.
District Commissioner Javedullah Mehsud outlined ongoing initiatives to stabilize the region and support affected residents. However, local communities emphasized the need for lasting solutions, including the permanent reopening of the Peshawar-Parachinar highway, a critical lifeline for the district.
The violence, which erupted last month and has claimed over 130 lives, prompted elected representatives from Kurram in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly to demand a government-led de-weaponisation drive across the district.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has dispatched relief goods worth Rs150 million to assist those affected by the violence.
