A 125-member delegation from the Pashtun National Peace Jirga is actively engaged in negotiations with local elders in the Kurram district to restore peace. Despite the ceasefire, key transport routes in the area remain closed, exacerbating hardships for residents.
Sources confirm that the jirga, comprising members from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan districts, has been in dialogue for the past four days. Prominent jirga members, including Mufti Kifayatullah, Jamshed Sherani, Malik Naseer Khan Kokikhel, Shahpur Khan, and Barkat Ali Khan, emphasized their commitment to healing the wounds of both sides. "Both parties are deeply distressed by the significant loss of life and property," they noted, adding that the jirga's primary mission is fostering peace throughout the country, starting with Kurram.
The district has faced severe tensions since shootings on passenger convoys on October 12 and November 21. These incidents led to the closure of main routes, including the vital Kurram highway.
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Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Engineer Hamid Hussain revealed that over the past two months, the road was operational for just ten days. The blockade has created severe shortages of food, fuel, and medicines, causing immense difficulties for locals. He urged immediate action to reopen roads and resume cross-border trade with Afghanistan.
Educational institutions across Kurram have reopened in a positive development, and mobile and internet services are partially restored. However, the intermittent suspension of services continues to disrupt daily life, particularly for students.
Meanwhile, during the 18th cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, the ongoing crisis in Kurram was discussed. The Chief Minister directed the immediate delivery of essential medical supplies to the district via helicopter. This operation began yesterday, providing much-needed relief to the affected population.
The Pashtun National Peace Jirga remains hopeful that lasting peace in Kurram can be achieved with the cooperation of local elders and stakeholders.
