Peace committees have been constituted following the successful peace agreement between the warring parties in the restive Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the deputy commissioner (DC) confirmed on Friday.
A large jirga managed to secure a peace deal on Wednesday after three weeks of efforts to negotiate a ceasefire amid violence in the area. 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 holding a sit-in since December 20, which is continuing, against the law and order situation and against road closures. The protesters announced a day ago that they would end their protest only when the roads were open to traffic and made safe for public transit.
Kurram DC Javedullah Mehsud confirmed for sunrise.com today that, after the great peace jirga, peace committees made up of tribal leaders and local politicians were established.
“These committees, comprising people from all sects, include 27 members from Lower Kurram and 48 members from Upper Kurram,” he said.
Mehsud added that the district’s problem was not terrorism but a territorial and tribal dispute “painted as a sectarian issue”.
Under the peace deal, local leaders must hand over their weapons to authorities within 15 days, while bunkers around Kurram will be destroyed within a month.
Talking about the supply convoy, the DC said the first convoy carrying food and other supplies was to leave for Parachinar on Saturday. He added that he would be protected by the police on his way to Parachinar.
“Other law enforcement agencies will be present at all times to assist the police in case of any emergency,” he said.
“Local leaders have made life easier for locals by putting aside personal and tribal disputes and ensuring safety of passengers, food and supplies,” DC Mehsud added.
“Due to road closure for more than 80 days, people have been facing hardship due to lack of basic facilities and timely medicines in Kurram.”
Separately, KP government spokesperson Advocate Dr Muhammad Ali Saif also said that comprehensive security and travel measures were being taken for the planned convoy.
In line with the Apex Committee’s directive, he said the region would be cleared of weapons and bunkers.
He also confirmed that under the agreement, both sides were expected to present a coordinated plan within 15 days for the collection of weapons.
He stressed that the display and use of weapons would be prohibited and fundraising for the purchase of weapons would not be allowed.
Lawyer Saif warned that any group trying to take military action after the demolition of the bunkers would be treated as terrorists and strict action would be taken.
