Kurram unrest: CS wants weapons surrendered to ensure peace

KOHAT/ HANGU/ PARACHINAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Secretary Nadeem Aslam Chaudhary on Tuesday emphasized the need for surrendering all illegal weapons to ensure permanent peace, safe travel, and the enforcement of law in Kurram district.

Addressing participants of a jirga at the Commissioner House here, he underscored the critical role of community cooperation in resolving conflicts.Inspector General of Police Akhtar Hayat Khan, General Officer Commanding Kohat Major General Zulfiqar Ali Bhatti, Commissioner Kohat Division Syed Mutasim Billah Shah, Regional Police Officer Abbas Majeed Marwat, Deputy Commissioner Abdul Akram and others attended the jirga.

The chief secretary said that the ongoing conflict in Kurram appeared to involve two groups, extremist elements were attempting to exploit the situation to fuel hatred. He called upon both parties to identify and isolate such elements to prevent them from succeeding in their malicious designs.

Highlighting the government’s commitment, Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry reiterated that the Kohat agreement would be implemented at all cost, with full cooperation from all parties concerned. “Understanding and tolerance are imperative to protect our areas and people. This situation must not be taken lightly,” he added.

The chief secretary assured the jirga that the rule of law would be upheld without exception. “Strict legal action will be taken against anyone violating government orders or laws. FIRs are not mere formalities; they will be executed, and culprits will face severe punishment,” he warned.

Emphasizing unity and collective responsibility, he called on the youth of Kurram to actively participate in peacebuilding efforts and urged both sides to work closely with the government to maintain law and order in the region.

Earlier, the chief secretary along with the IGP visited Hangu district, where he reviewed the facilities at a temporary relief camp established for families evacuated from certain villages in Kurram.

Expressing satisfaction with the arrangements, he met with displaced people and assured them of the government’s commitment to addressing their needs.Meanwhile, two more bunkers were demolished in Balishkhel and Khar Killay in Lower Kurram district, taking the total number of dismantled bunkers to 10.

The district administration said that these bunkers were previously used by the parties to install heavy weapons and target one another.Efforts were being made to continue provision of relief items and meet public needs through convoys.