Jirga begins peace parleys in Kurram

PARACHINAR: Tribal elders from Orakzai, Hangu, Kohat and Tall on Thursday reached Parachinar and started negotiations for restoration of lasting peace in the Kurram tribal district.

They jirga members have started talks with the elders of both sides involved in the conflict to reopen the roads that had been blocked for the past 13 days. The peace jirga included prominent figures, including Malik Syed Abdul Hussain, Syed Ibn Ali Shah, Malik Ameenullah from Hangu, Mufti Abdul Hameed, Pir Syed Shahnawaz, Advocate Asif Paracha from Kohat, Malik Akhtarullah Jan from Tall, ex-lawmaker Mufti Syed Janan from Tall, Syed Wasi, Malik Waheed Ali Orakzai, Malik Badshah Hussain Orakzai, Malik Malook Khan Orakzai, Syed Akbar Jan Orakzai, Malik Abdullah Met Khan from Piroz Orakzai, and Malik Lal Mansha Orakzai. The jirga members along with the district administration and security officials, held negotiations with the elders of both sides. On the occasion, members of the jirga, Abdul Hussain and Mufti Shahnawaz, stressed that all possible measures would be taken to ensure peace and the cooperation of the elders from both sides was crucial. During their address, the leaders of the Turi and Bangash tribes Jalal Bangash and Syed Tajammul Hussain stressed the need to reopen the roads and ensure their safety.

The jirga members said that after holding talks with the Turi tribe, they would now negotiate with the Bangash tribe.

Their efforts will continue until a lasting peace agreement is reached between the tribes as the ongoing unrest has caused irreparable damage to the Kurram district and the people as well.