Saif says agreement soon to end Kurram dispute

PESHAWAR: Adviser to Chief Minister on Information and Public Affairs Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif on Sunday said that a jirga convened by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government continued late into the night in Kohat to help resolve the Kurram dispute.

Speaking to the media, he said that considerable progress had been made in the talks with both parties about reaching consensus on key issues.

However, he said that one party, representing the Sunni community, had requested for two days’ time to consult their elders to ponder over a few remaining points of the agreement.

“The jirga has unanimously agreed to grant this time for consultation,” Barrister Saif said. “Once the discussions are concluded, the jirga will reconvene on Tuesday to finalise the agreement,” he added.

He said that a formal agreement would be signed after consultations were completed. “The key points have already been agreed upon, and this is a significant step towards a durable resolution,” he maintained.

In line with the decisions of the Apex Committee, measures to dismantle bunkers and confiscate illegal arms will be implemented as part of the peace process, Barrister Saif added.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to finding a sustainable and permanent solution to the dispute.

“The Kohat commissioner and the entire administration are dedicated to resolving this issue with sincerity and ensuring long-lasting peace in the region,” Barrister Saif said.

He said that the chief minister had allocated his helicopter for relief operations, including the transportation of medicines and provision of emergency aerial services for the affected population.