Sectarian violence has claimed over 150 lives since November 2024 attack
Recent 71-vehicle aid convoy provided critical relief to Parachinar residents
Eight security bunkers demolished as part of peace agreement implementation
A crucial peace meeting in Pakistan's northwestern tribal region collapsed on Saturday after Shia Muslim representatives boycotted the talks, leaving unresolved a sectarian conflict that has killed more than 150 people since November.
The meeting, known as a grand jirga and convened by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur in Kurram district, aimed to address sectarian tensions along the Afghan border.
Members of the jirga condemned the January 16 attack on a 35-vehicle convoy in Bagan and resolved to hold another meeting in the near future to deliberate on the matter.
Shia community boycott jirga
Ali Jawad, a representative of the Shia community and a signatory of the peace agreement, told Nuktathat all educational institutions in Parachinar have been closed for over 100 days due to the suspension of fuel supplies.
"Patients cannot reach hospitals as they are forced to walk 10 to 15 kilometers on foot. The boycott of the jirga will continue until there is full restoration of transportation and resumption of petroleum supplies," he added.
Ali Jawad stated that if the convoy of 71 vehicles carrying essential food supplies had not reached Parachinar the previous day, the situation could have escalated into rebellion. However, the timely delivery provided relief to the people, easing their hardships to some extent.
Aid trucks move past Sadda bypass in Upper Kurram district, Pakistan, en route to Parachinar city, on Wednesday, January 8, 2025.
Nukta
The Shia community also called for the immediate release of their leader, Muzamil Hussain Agha, who was arrested yesterday under Section 3 of the West Pakistan Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance (MPO), 1960.
Addressing the jirga, KP Chief Secretary Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry emphasized that enforcing the law is the government's responsibility. "Your grievances will be addressed, but you must cooperate with the government because peace cannot be achieved merely through signing an agreement—it requires proper implementation," he stated.
Process of disarmament
Izzat Gul Orakzai, a prominent jirga member, reported that the peace agreement is being implemented, with eight major bunkers having been demolished so far.
"A follow-up grand jirga will be convened soon, during which both parties will be urged to surrender their weapons as per the peace agreement," he told Nukta. "If the parties do not act voluntarily, the grand jirga will define the process for disarmament, as peace cannot be restored without the collection of weapons."
The grand jirga leaders made it clear to both parties that they must cooperate with the government to help restore peace; otherwise, the government would act independently, as ensuring the implementation of the peace agreement is the state's responsibility.
Crisis background
Strategically positioned on the Afghanistan border, Kurram district has been a center of sectarian conflict since November 2024, when attackers killed 43 people in a convoy, triggering violence that claimed over 150 lives and closed the district's main highway.
Recent developments in January 2025 saw attackers target a convoy of 35 vehicles in Bagan on the 16th, followed by some relief when a 71-vehicle convoy with essential supplies reached Parachinar the next day. Tensions escalated again with the arrest of Shia community leader Muzamil Hussain Agha on January 24, and a grand jirga meeting ended without resolution on January 25 after one party's boycott.
Currently, educational institutions remain closed after 100+ days due to fuel shortages, forcing patients to walk 10-15 kilometers to hospitals. While eight bunkers have been demolished under the peace agreement, tensions persist. Another grand jirga meeting is planned to address weapons surrender by both parties.
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