Adviser to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister on Information, Barrister Saif, stated on Wednesday that the parties involved in the months-long conflict in Kurram have submitted a plan to surrender their weapons to the government.
Speaking to the media, Barrister Saif said that the warring tribes will hand over heavy weapons to the authorities, while the government will issue legal firearm licences to willing citizens for personal protection. He also confirmed that the demolition of bunkers in Kurram is ongoing, with all such structures to be dismantled under the peace pact.
How Did the Kurram Peace Agreement Come About?
The peace agreement between Kurram’s warring tribes was reached last month, putting an end to a prolonged period of violence and tribal clashes that had thrown the entire district into crisis.
Nearly 140 people lost their lives in clashes that erupted in November 2024.
Prolonged road closures and the complete suspension of movement to and from Kurram had cut the district off from the outside world, leading to a severe shortage of food and medicine, which reportedly resulted in additional deaths.
Eventually, under a government- and military-brokered peace pact, the conflicting parties agreed to a ceasefire, which mandates the surrender of all weapons and the removal of bunkers in accordance with the KP Apex Committee’s orders.
Weapon Surrender Process Underway
Sources revealed that the district administration, police, and law enforcement agencies are assisting in the process of handing over weapons.
A Jirga member, Munir Bangash, stated that the government would ensure the safety of residents once the weapons are surrendered. He added that all parties are committed to establishing lasting peace in Kurram.
Another Jirga member, Irshad Hussain Bangash, noted that both sides were showing flexibility to maintain peace in the region. He further said that the public would soon receive good news regarding the reopening of the Tall-Parachinar Road, which has blocked all trade into the region.
Demolition of Bunkers and Restoration of Essential Supplies
The demolition of bunkers continues in Kurram, with efforts now extending to Upper Kurram. According to the district administration, so far, two bunkers have been demolished in Pewar and Gido, while 28 have been removed in Lower Kurram.
Official sources estimate that there are over 250 bunkers in Kurram, with 30 already dismantled.
Additionally, convoys carrying food and essential supplies continue to be dispatched to Kurram to ensure the availability of necessary goods in the region.
