Ceasefire holds in Pakistan's Kurram after 10 days of deadly sectarian clashes

Pakistan's restive district of Kurram bordering Afghanistan witnessed a calm night on Sunday as a ceasefire by warring parties held, according to district officials.

The ceasefire came after 10 days of intense sectarian violence that left at least 152 people dead and over 245 injured.

The latest truce is the third such agreement in the last 10 days, with authorities hopeful it will hold this time amid growing pressure to end the violence.

Gandapur meets grand tribal jirga to advance peace efforts

Members of the Kurram grand jirga met with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Monday to discuss a roadmap for resolving the crisis, in an effort to secure lasting peace in Kurram. Gandapur assured jirga members of full support, including the necessary resources and security for their upcoming visits to the affected areas to initiate dialogue.

The jirga, backed by the provincial government, aims to mediate between the rival tribes and address long-standing grievances. Jirga members have pledged to resolve the matter peacefully, emphasizing cooperation with authorities.

Chief Minister Gandapur called on the federal government, on Saturday, to deploy Frontier Corps troops and issued directives for strict action against those disrupting peace. “Heavy weapons must be surrendered, and anyone carrying them will be treated as a terrorist,” he warned.

KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also announced the formation of a separate jirga to support mediation efforts. “We are committed to initiating talks with all parties to restore peace,” Kundi said.

Sectarian clashes leave over 100 dead

Pakistani Shia Muslim supporters of Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) hold placards as they chant slogans to condemn the killings of people, after gunmen opened fire on passenger vehicles in the Kurram tribal district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, during a protest in Karachi, Pakistan November 22, 2024.Reuters

Violence erupted in late November when gunmen attacked a convoy of passenger vehicles on the Parachinar-Peshawar highway, killing 43 people, including women and children from the Shia community. This sparked clashes between rival sectarian groups in the region, particularly in the Alizai and Bagan areas.

The clashes left bodies in the streets as access to the conflict zones was hindered.

Local hospitals were overwhelmed, with the District Headquarters Hospital recording 55 fatalities and over 200 injuries, while facilities in Manduri and Alizai areas reported dozens more deaths and injuries.

Where is Kurram?

Kurram is situated in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, bordering Afghanistan to the west.

The district is home to a mix of ethnic groups, primarily Pashtuns, with Shia and Sunni Muslims forming the majority of the population. The Shia-Sunni demographic split has historically led to tensions and conflicts, often exacerbated by external influences.

Kurram was previously part of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) but was integrated into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after FATA's merger in 2018.

The local economy relies on agriculture, livestock, and trade.