The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government announced on Friday that following extensive negotiations, the warring sides in Kurram district have reached an agreement for an indefinite ceasefire,
This breakthrough came after a series of meetings led by a grand jirga, which traveled to the conflict-hit region to mediate between the opposing groups. Through a combination of individual and collective sessions, the jirga conducted lengthy facilitated disccussions, and successfully brokered a ceasefire, aiming to restore peace and stability to the area, as per Dawn reported.
During the talks key decisions were also made to secure sustainable peace in Kurram. The jirga suggested some measures, which designed to promote long-term stability, focusing on de-escalation and fostering dialogue between the rival groups.
The agreement marks as a critical step towards decreasing violence in the region. The tensions have been escalating since November 21, when a convoy heading to Peshawar was ambushed. The ambush claimed at least 40 lives, and continued clashes have since driven the death toll to over 100, as per Dwan report.
Barrister Mohammad Saif, an adviser to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister, confirmed that the grand jirga engaged with around 100 representatives from both sides as part of its efforts to mediate peace.
Saif noted that the jirga had also tackled the issue of the trenches in the area, with an agreement that they would remain vacant until a final resolution was reached.This decision is seen as a significant confidence-building measure aimed at further de-escalate tensions.
The parties involved in the conflict recognized that violence would not lead to a resolution, emphasising the need for patience and trust in the peace process. They agreed that while achieving a lasting solution would take time, both sides are committed to collaborating with the jirga to ensure a peaceful future for the region, reported by Dawn.
As part of the peace agreement, both sides committed to return to their areas only once a lasting peace is firmly established, with the aim of securing a better future for future generations.