fter six months of ongoing tensions, road blockades and food shortages in the tribal district of Kurram, a peace agreement has finally been signed between the Watizai, Sunni and Alizai, Shia tribes.

On March 29, an important jirga was held at Qila Abbas in Lower Kurram, where both sides agreed to an eight-month ‘peace agreement.’Under this agreement, it was decided that the main Tall-Parachinar highway and the Pak-Afghan Kharlachi border would be re-opened and a strategy for long-term peace devised.

As per the jirga‘s decision, any party violating the agreement would face legal action. There will be further consultation with the General Officer Commanding (GOC) and other state institutions to ensure implementation of the accord.

The jirga was attended by district administration officials, tribal elders from both parties and other authorities. Ashfaq Ahmed, the deputy commissioner of Kurram district, stated that tribal elders were cooperating with the government to establish lasting peace in the region. He added that the agreement had doubled the joy of Eid for the local people.

The peace agreement, of which a copy was available to The News on Sunday, showed that it was signed between the Watizai and the Alizai, with both sides agreeing to maintain peace. They pledged to fully uphold and abide by the terms of this peace agreement.

“Both tribes are prepared to implement the Kohat Agreement in its entirety and strictly adhere to all its provisions. During the validity of this peace agreement (eight months), any disputes will be resolved through negotiations and dialogue. Both parties will cooperate with the administration to ensure lasting peace. In case of any violation of this agreement, law enforcement agencies, including the police and administration, will have the authority to take legal action against the violators,” reads the agreement.

According to the agreement, both sides committed to cooperating with the administration and the government in all efforts aimed at maintaining peace. Following the agreement, there is hope that the Tall-Parachinar Road will be re-opened for all types of traffic.

DrQadarOrakzai, a resident of Manduri in Lower Kurram and a member of the Watizai tribe, says that the Alizai and Watizai tribes are old neighbours with adjacent properties.

“In the past, peace agreements between the two tribes ensured that sectarian and other conflicts from Upper Kurram did notspill over into their area. These agreements have been quite effective in de-escalating conflict in Bagan and Alizai areas. For over a decade, there was no conflict between theWatizai and Alizai tribes, even though tensions frequently escalated in Upper Kurram. Those tensions did not extend to Lower Kurram.”

“The recent peace agreement between the two tribes is expected to be successful and effective. If both parties and the state show seriousness in implementing the agreement, lasting peace can be established,”QadarOrakzai says.

There are two major causes of tension in Kurram; extremists fighting against the state and sectarian conflict between the Shia and Sunnicommunities. Orakzai believes that all matters between these communities can beresolved through jirgas. Also, he says, sustainable and lasting peace can be achieved if the state fulfils its responsibilities.

Following the recent peace agreement, the road from Chappri to Alizai is expected to re-open for traffic. Chappri is where the Kurram district begins. Since November 21, a majority of incidents have been reported between Chappri and the Alizai area, a 16-kilometer-long portion of the Thal-Parachinar Road.

Both tribes have completed thegroundwork on this matter. “We want peace. We agreed to re-open the road for traffic. The agreement is the first steptowards establishing peace in Kurram. Further progress will follow. Some tribal elders have proposed that similar peace agreements should be facilitated with the six remaining tribes to ensure long-term peace in Kurram,” QadarOrakzaisays.

Haji ZaminHussain, the caretaker secretary of Anjuman-i-HussainiaParachinar, a local body, representative of Shia tribes in Kurram, said in a video statement on Eid that “We want peace and hope that others in Kurram will also support us in maintaining peace.”

TNS spoke to a tribal elder in Upper Kurram.Speaking on condition of anonymity, he stated that after the recent peace agreement betweenthe two tribes, more agreements are expected to be signed between various Shia and Sunni tribes.

“Instead of signing more peace agreements, the government should implement the Kohat Jirga ruling in its letter and spirit,” theelder said. During a Grand Jirga in December, both sides had signed a peace deal in Kohat.

Due to the violent incidents on October 12, November 21, and 22, highways in the Kurram district were blocked for the past six months, causing severe shortages of food, medicine and other essential supplies forthe local population. Many people lost their lives in these clashes.

Advisor to the Chief Minister on Information, Barrister DrSaif stated that the recent agreement was an agreement within the framework of the Kohat Peace Accord.

“The primary objective of this agreement is to ensure the safety of the Tall-Parachinar highway. As part of the Kohat Peace Accord, 900 bunkers have been dismantled. The process of collecting weapons will begin soon after the completion of bunker demolitions,” Barrister Saif said.

The writer is a multimedia producer. Hetweets@daudpasaney