DERA ISMAIL KHAN:
A major jirga in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Kurram district on Saturday failed to break the impasse between the warring sides over the delivery of heavy weapons to tribal elders, the mandatory condition set by authorities for opening roads to and from the district.
Due to the persistent deadlock, the Jirga, which met here at Kohat Fort under the chairmanship of Kohat Divisional Commissioner Moatasim Billah Shah, could not finalize the final peace agreement. As a result, protests against road closures in the district continued for the ninth consecutive day.
According to sources, the agreement could not be signed due to lack of attendance by Jirga members. “Both sides agree on many points of the deal, but one side had reservations about a clause on depositing heavy weapons with tribal elders,” a source said.
Several points were discussed in the Jirga. The authorities made it clear to Jirga members that unless the heavy weapons were handed over, the government would not risk opening the roads. One party suggested that both sides should present arms to the government.
Officials informed the Jirga that a district-wide helicopter service had been started to deliver medicines and other supplies. Provincial government health advisor Ehtesham Ali said more than 16,000 patients had received treatment at Parachinar DHQ Hospital since December 13.
Meanwhile, in Bagan, citizens also blocked roads, while in Parachinar, despite the intense cold, a sit-in against road closures continued for the ninth consecutive day.
