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In a landmark development, a peace agreement has been signed between the Sunni community of Bushehra and Dandar and the Shia communities of Shaakh, Dandar Mali, Kili Ahmadzai, Mir Bakhel and Taida, some of the most sensitive areas in the Kurram district.
The agreement is being hailed as a major milestone in the region’s tumultuous history. Not only does it signify the end of nearly seven months of simmering tension and intermittent violence, it also paves the way for a long-term framework for peaceful coexistence.
As communities across Kurram cautiously welcome this breakthrough, there is renewed hope that the accord will usher in an era of trust, reconciliation and progress in a region historically marred by sectarian divisions and local disputes.
As peace gradually returns to the valleys and villages of Kurram, the focus must now shift to implementation of the agreement, its monitoring and long-term reconciliation. The Bushehra accord serves as a beacon of what is possible when dialogue triumphs over division.
For months, law and order in Kurram had deteriorated. The violence was fuelled by unresolved land disputes, tribal rivalries and a growing trust deficit between Sunni and Shia communities. These tensions led to loss of lives, damage to property and displacement. The district administration stepped in to mediate, assuming a neutral but active role, bringing stakeholders to the negotiating table and fostering an environment conducive to dialogue.
Strategic significance of Bushehra
Bushehra, located about 15 kilometers south of Parachinar, is a fertile region known for its agriculture—producing beans, rice and vegetables. The area is dotted with natural springs that provide essential irrigation and drinking water for local residents. Its demographic composition includes both Sunni and Shia communities living side by side, making it a symbolic epicenter of the conflict and now, the peace.
Voices from the ground
Former National Assembly member and federal minister Sajid Hussain Turi has praised the initiative. “As always, we collaborated with local elders to facilitate peace. In the coming weeks, similar peace accords will be finalised at the village level,” he said. “We urge the Kurram youth to uphold the peace. This agreement signals a brighter, safer and more stable future for all.”
Rahim Gul, a member of Anjuman Farooqia, was instrumental in brokering the deal. “Bushehra has often been a flashpoint for violence. When tensions rise here, they spread like wildfire across the district,” he says. “Now both parties agree that peace in Bushehra is essential. If Bushehra is calm, Kurram will be calm.”
Reflecting on the past, Gul adds, “Before 1980, we had lived in harmony. Bushehra was a peaceful place. Only in recent years did incidents escalate and trigger conflict.”
Jalal Hussain Bangash, former secretary of Anjuman-i-Hussainia, points to the broader significance of the agreement. “Following the Kohat and Watizai, Sunni and Alizai, Shia tribes peace accords, this latest development adds another cornerstone for peace and prosperity in Kurram.”
Accountability and enforcement
Abid Malyar, another resident of Bushehra, describes his hometown as ‘the heart of Kurram.’ He notes that residents of surrounding villages were consulted and had agreed to a one-year peace pact. “The government must now fulfill its role in enforcing this agreement and holding the violators accountable. Without accountability, peace will remain fragile,” he says.
Tajammul Agha, caretaker secretary of Anjuman-i-Hussainia, Parachinar, reiterates the interconnected nature of the Kurram valley. “Unrest in one village can destabilise the entire district. This agreement is a vital step toward sustainable peace. All parties must now commit to resolving disputes through tribal elders and formal channels.”
Malik Rasheed Zaman, chairman of the Bushehra Union Council, has expressed optimism. “Many believed that a peace agreement in Bushehra was impossible. But we have proved them wrong. We came together and decided that it was time for change. We have seen enough hardship. We want our children to grow up with opportunities, not fear.”
The basic disputes
Ikhlaq Hussain from Upper Kurram highlights the underlying issues. “Most of our problems stem from unresolved land disputes. These spiral into sectarian clashes. If the authorities can settle these property issues, I believe 60 per cent of Kurram’s problems will be resolved.”
Haji Hamid Hussain, aformer secretary of Anjuman-i-Hussainia, points to past efforts. “After dismantling militant bunkers and collecting illegal weapons, we saw a marked improvement in security. We had also signed successful peace agreements in 2007. The Bushehra accord is part of a legacy of peacebuilding that must continue.”
Peace through tradition
Malik Fakhr Zaman, former MNA from Lower Kurram, emphasises the tribal tradition of conflict resolution through jirga (tribal council). “History teaches us that negotiations, not violence, are the answer. The Bushehra agreement is another link in that chain. We must keep that tradition alive.”
The writer is a multimedia producer. He tweets daudpasaney