DERA ISMAIL KHAN:
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s restive Kurram district saw a ray of hope on Wednesday when a convoy of 40 vehicles carrying relief supplies reached the district capital Parachinar after being detained in Thall for four days.
Kurram has long been plagued by decades-long sectarian clashes, which have escalated into territorial disputes and claimed the lives of at least 130 people since November 2024.
In December, the provincial government formed a large jirga (council of elders) to negotiate a ceasefire in the region. Following this progress, a peace agreement was signed between the warring parties on January 1.
According to the peace agreement, local residents agreed to hand over their weapons to the state in different phases within 15 days, while the dismantling of local bunkers would be completed within a month.
However, on January 4, a convoy of former deputy commissioner Javedullah Mehsud was attacked near Bagan area, a town in the district, injuring the official and five members of his bodyguard. Since then, the convoy has been stranded.
On Wednesday, KP government spokesperson Advocate Muhammad Ali Saif confirmed that a convoy of 30 vehicles carrying relief supplies, including food, medicine and other essential items, had arrived in Parachinar. He said more convoys would also be sent to the restive district in the future.
Saif added that 10 trucks had arrived safely in the Bagan area.
The development came after successful negotiations between the government and tribal elders.
Praising the cooperation of local elders in maintaining peace, Saif said the role of jirgas and peace committees was a significant step towards long-term stability in the region. He maintained that the government would further strengthen this collaboration and adopt a strategy to involve all stakeholders in the process.
The KP government spokesperson assured the public that the government is not only focusing on relief activities but is also making comprehensive plans for the long-term development and stability of the affected areas. He added that development cannot be achieved without peace and the government is committed to ensuring complete tranquility in the region.
Bazaars in Parachinar also reportedly reopened, with several people flocking to buy supplies.
Newly appointed Kurram Deputy Commissioner Ashfaq Khan while speaking to media expressed determination to maintain peace in Kurram by working along with tribal elders.
He directed his office staff to extend maximum cooperation to the people and use all available resources to resolve their problems.
Khan vowed to take strict action against those who attacked Meshud and urged people to cooperate with law enforcement agencies and help maintain peace.
The closure of roads for more than 80 days caused hardship to the people of Kurram as they could not receive basic necessities and medicines on time.
A day earlier, the government had temporarily suspended relief activities in the troubled district, and Edhi also suspended its air service to the region.
