Unrest in Kurram: Tribal jirga from KP, Balochistan initiates fresh peace bid

PARACHINAR: A 125-member jirga comprising Ulema and tribal elders from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan on Thursday visited Sadda and Parachinar and held negotiations with the elders of the respective parties to bring a lasting peace to the volatile district.

Sources said that the 125-member Pakhtun Peace Jirga of religious scholars and elders from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan held detailed discussions with the elders of the relevant parties in Sadda and Parachinar areas of Kurram district. The Ulema and elders of both parties participated in the meetings and assured full support to the peace initiative. Jirga members, including Mufti Kifayatullah, Naseer Khan Kukikhel, Amanullah Wazir, Hamid Sherani and others said that the purpose of forming jirga across the Pakhtun-belt was to take steps for peace in the conflict-hit areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. They expressed profound grief over the recent violence in Kurram district, which had resulted in the loss of precious lives and damage to property.

The jirga members said that they did not come to Kurram at the behest of anyone but they themselves felt the need to play a role for the sake of peace and would continue their efforts until peace was restored. On the occasion, the elders of both parties warmly welcomed the jirga to Kurram and assured full cooperation from their sides.

The jirga would continue its negotiations with the elders of the respective parties in Kurram today (Friday).