Saif says Kurram jirga not dissolved

PESHAWAR: Adviser to Chief Minister on Information and Public Relations Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif on Monday clarified that the Kurram Grand Jirga had not been dissolved and said the parties involved had requested for one-day extension for further consultation.

In a handout, he said that reports about the dissolution of the jirga were baseless and attributed the rumours to anti-peace elements. He said that the one-day hiatus was sought to deliberate on the elimination of bunkers and the collection of arms. “The parties involved have requested for more time to consult with their elders on these matters,” he clarified.

Barrister Saif said the provincial government was committed to establishing durable peace in the region, which necessitated the elimination of bunkers and the disarmament of the area. The government, he added, was also well aware of the issues concerning the road blockade in the region.

To address these concerns, the chief minister had arranged for essential medicines to be delivered to the area via helicopter, he further said. He said that the wounded were being transported to Peshawar via helicopter.

The chief minister directed the Food Department to supply 2,000 metric tons of wheat to meet food shortage in the region, he added. Barrister said that the issue of Kurram was 120-year old, and its permanent resolution may take time.

However, he said that steps were being taken to address this longstanding issue and it was hoped that the problem would be resolved within a few days, and durable peace would be established in the region.