The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on Wednesday said both warring sides in Kurram districts have finally signed a peace agreement after more than three weeks of efforts to broker a ceasefire amid violence in the area.
The Great Jirga was working towards a peace agreement that would lead to the reopening of roads in restive Kurram. The efforts hit a roadblock on Tuesday as two representatives from Lower Kurram were unavailable, delaying the solemnization of an agreement between the warring parties.
Clashes stemming from decades of land disputes have claimed at least 130 lives since last month, and food and medicine shortages have been reported due to weeks-long road blockades. Residents of Parachinar in Upper Kurram have also been staging a sit-in since December 20, which dawn.com The correspondent confirmed that it would continue today, against the public order situation and the closure of roads.
KP government spokesperson, lawyer Muhammad Ali Saif, announced the development in a statement issued today.
He said one of the warring parties signed the document a few days ago, while the other party signed it today.
He said both sides agreed to hand over their weapons and demolish their bunkers.
Barrister Saif said the peace deal would usher the district into a “new era of peace and development”, adding that calm and security would soon be restored to the restive district.
He added that the convoys would leave for Parachinar on Saturday.
Malik Syed Asghar, a member of the jirga, said dawn.com that both sides signed the peace document and the reservations of both sides were addressed. He said a formal announcement of the peace agreement would be made at the Governor House in Peshawar.
KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur lauded the development and said the provincial government’s efforts for peaceful resolution of the issue had borne fruit.
“The signing of the agreement between the parties is an important step towards a sustainable resolution of the Kurram issue.
“I welcome this important step and congratulate all partners. I hope that this agreement will provide a solid basis for a sustainable resolution of the Kurram issue,” he said in a statement, adding that the development was “a cause for joy” and would lead to the opening of land routes to the affected district.
“This agreement is a clear message to the elements that spread hatred between the parties that the people of the region are lovers of peace. I call on the parties to reject the elements that spread hatred and create unity in their ranks.
“It is our endeavor and wish that the problems faced by the people of Kurram are resolved soon and normal life is restored there.”
The Prime Minister said fighting and violence are not the solution to any problem, adding that issues and disputes should always be resolved through negotiations.
“Violence always generates violence that does not benefit the parties, the region or the government.”
More to follow.
