KURRAM: The marathon peace jirga, convened in Kohat to resolve the escalating law and order crisis in Parachinar, Kurram District, entered its ninth consecutive day on Saturday without achieving consensus.
The region has witnessed deadly clashes since July, leaving around 200 people dead.
Participants from both Sunni and Shiite communities engaged in lengthy discussions, primarily focused on reopening major roads and addressing security concerns. However, a breakthrough remains out of reach. Representatives from provincial and district governments were present to assist but have yet to facilitate an agreement.
MNA and Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) parliamentary leader Engineer Hameed Hussain highlighted the dire impact of road closures on residents. “People are facing immense hardships in accessing groceries, medicines, and other essential commodities,” he stated. Hussain warned that if the jirga failed to reopen roads and ensure locals’ safety, the MWM would launch an agitation movement for immediate relief.
Social activist Mir Afzal Khan noted that Kurram’s entry and exit points have been blocked for 67 days due to tribal clashes, exacerbating the residents’ suffering. “The severe cold and shortages of daily commodities, including fuel and gas, have made life unbearable for locals,” he said.
Deputy Commissioner Javedullah Mehsud assured that efforts were underway to reopen roads and restore the supply of essential items, including food and medicines.
According to AFP, thousands of residents remain stranded in the remote Kurram district, which borders Afghanistan, as the government struggles to quell violence and restore calm following sectarian clashes. The tensions, fueled by long-standing disputes over farmland, have displaced hundreds of families.
Ghulam, a 72-year-old resident of Parachinar, expressed despair over the persistent instability. “Our generations yearn for peace,” he said. “I have never experienced peace in my life and doubt the future will be any different for my children.”
The recent violence began in May and intensified in July, when gunmen attacked a council of elders attempting to mediate a dispute. Since then, sporadic truces have been short-lived, lasting only days or weeks.
More than 300 shops and over 200 homes in Sunni-majority areas have been destroyed, often by fire. Meanwhile, families continue to flee the conflict, leaving behind a region gripped by fear and uncertainty.
The mountainous Kurram region, also known as the “Parrot’s Beak” due to its geographical position jutting into Afghanistan, remains one of Pakistan’s most volatile areas. Its challenges highlight the urgent need for a durable solution to decades-old grievances.
