PESHAWAR, Pakistan — A grand jirga, or tribal assembly, has facilitated an indefinite cease-fire between rival groups in the Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistani media reported.
The development was first reported by Dawn, which noted that the jirga held separate and collective discussions with both sides, eventually securing the cease-fire after hours of deliberation. The jirga also announced key measures aimed at fostering sustainable peace in the troubled region.
Tensions in Kurram district have been high since November 21, when a convoy traveling to Peshawar was ambushed, leaving at least 40 people dead. The incident triggered a wave of violent clashes that have since claimed more than 100 lives, according to local officials.
Barrister Mohammad Saif, an aide to the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, said the jirga held meetings with approximately 100 individuals from both sides to mediate the conflict. As part of the agreement, trenches previously used in the clashes are to remain unoccupied until the jirga reaches a final decision.
“Both sides have acknowledged that violence is not a solution,” Dawn reported, quoting officials. “For permanent peace, time and further negotiations will be required to find a lasting resolution.”
Jirgas, a centuries-old mechanism for conflict resolution in tribal areas, have been instrumental in mediating disputes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. While the cease-fire marks a significant step toward peace, the road to lasting stability in Kurram remains fraught with challenges, given the region’s history of sectarian and tribal tensions.
