Expressing pleasure over the reconciliation between rival sectarian groups in Kurram Agency, Kohat Commissioner Sahibzada Mohammad Anees said the renewed agreement could lead to return of peace and tranquility in the region.
Talking to Pakistan Today over telephone, the commissioner said that for the first time, elders of Shia and Sunni communities had realised that their long standing differences were harmful to the very interests of people of both sides. On such grounds, they had announced reconciliation with each others and agreed to allow the displaced people to return to their native villages.
The elders from both Shia and Sunni communities on Sunday agreed to sign a renewed peace agreement with each other. The agreement was signed after prolonged parleys through a representative jirga comprising 25 representatives from each side. After signing the agreement, the administration of both Kurram Agency and adjacent Hangu district initiated steps for making secure the main Peshawar-Parachinar Road, particularly the Thall-Parachinar portion.
Per the agreement, the government has been bound to establish checkposts and pickets on the main road and the administration of Kurram Agency was especially asked for construction of checkposts at Chapari and Tari Mangal.
Tribesmen will not be allowed to exhibit arms and violators would be fined accordingly. Joint peace committees will be constituted at the village level, whereas the two sides will allow all those who have abandoned homes in the last 30 years to return. To a question, the commissioner said the agreement could be considered continuation of the Murree Agreement signed in 2008.
Due to certain factors, the 2008 agreement could not be implemented but the two sides had now vowed to implement it.
Anees said all those who guaranteed honouring and implementation on the agreement were local tribesmen. He said there was no external element involved either in brokering or in ensuring implementation on the agreement.
The situation in Kurram Agency deteriorated around 30 years ago with the influx of Afghan refugees after Afghanistan’s invasion by the Soviet Union. The Sunni people from Sadda region forced Shias to vacate their villages, while a similar action was taken by Shias in the upper Kurram Agency.