Fragile Peace in Kurram.

Sunni and Shia factions have a period of 15 days to formulate a strategy for surrendering weapons.

Shabbir Hussain Imam

Tension flared again in Kurram, and fresh clashes between Sunni and Shia sects in Parachinar. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government announced plans for the first convoy to leave for Kurram on Sunday (January 4, 2025), with tight security measures. Disbanding militias would be the first step in restoring peace, particularly in Parachinar. KP government spokesman Barrister Muhammad Ali Khan Saif stated that weapons will be removed from the area, as agreed upon by the apex committee, law enforcement agencies, and community representatives in a jirga. Efforts will also be made to remove the bunkers. Both parties engaged have been allotted 15 days to formulate an extensive strategy for weapon surrender, according to the agreement. This comes after months of unrest in Kurram, where a delicate peace accord has surfaced, troubling communities impacted by violence and sorrow.

Kurram seeks to break the violence cycle and achieve lasting peace through accountability, participation, resolution, disarmament, and aid.

Numerous individuals, including unsuspecting children, have died, leaving behind recollections of those who are gone, amidst unfulfilled fundamental requirements for health, security, and optimism. The roads are obstructed, making travel challenging, and hospitals are hard to access. Crucial medical supplies, such as drugs and devices, are depleting. Although a peace agreement might seem like an end to the conflict and issues, it raises significant questions. Individuals are inquiring about who will be accountable for the violence and anguish that has already occurred. The brief halt in violence provides minimal solace when justice is still an elusive aim. How is it possible to celebrate peace when the pain is ignored, and those responsible for this mindless violence remain unpunished? The calls for justice echo, thereby questioning the idea of a genuine and enduring peace.

?"Peace cannot be achieved through violence, it can only be attained through understanding." – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Land disputes in Kurram have been a core source of tension, frequently exacerbated by militias and political interests. These territorial disagreements are not only a source of violence but also impede the region's socioeconomic development. Until these disputes are addressed, any peace deal will be nothing more than a temporary solution. One effective way to resolve these land conflicts is by utilizing Geographic Information System (GIS) technology, which can provide accurate, transparent data regarding land ownership and boundaries. The expertise of technical facilities like Al-Hassan Associates—a company that has been providing spatial data services in Pakistan since 2009—could play a pivotal role in this process (https://alhassanassoc.com/). By leveraging GIS technology, the parties involved in land disputes could access accurate and reliable information that would help mediate and resolve conflicts over land ownership, ensuring that decisions are based on clear, objective data rather than claims and counterclaims.

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The true nature of peace depends on justice. In its absence, what we encounter is not enduring stability, but simply a fleeting break—an interval preceding the storm's certain comeback. The cycle of violence in Kurram, frequently hidden under the pretense of tribal conflict, has occurred numerous times in the past. Land conflicts, driven by militia strength, generate strife, and every ceasefire turns into an empty commitment. The accord does little to break down the systems that sustain this turmoil, neglecting to tackle the underlying reasons for violence. When justice is overlooked, the foundations of the next conflict are already laid.

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In its present state, the peace agreement provides merely a tenuous ceasefire, resting on unstable foundations. Eliminating private militias and heavy arms, while a positive move, does little to eradicate the entrenched political interests that sustain violence. The jirga, despite its noble intentions, has sadly not succeeded in holding accountable those responsible for the violence. The offenders—those who planned the massacres—continue to walk free, their deeds unpunished in a system that appears satisfied with lawlessness. As long as this pattern of violence is unchecked, peace will perpetually be an illusion, a temporary mirage that disappears with the onset of the next crisis.

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To compound the issue, the provincial government, responsible for protecting the citizens of Kurram, has been astonishingly missing in their hour of need. The apathy shown by the KP government during the crisis reveals much about its priorities. Although the chief minister concentrated on national issues, Kurram's hardships remained overlooked. The absence of firm action and the delay in engaging the military until it was far too late—these are shortcomings that must not be overlooked. The government’s ineffectiveness in intervening highlights the state's incapacity to safeguard its citizens and uphold law and order.

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Political activities by groups such as Majlis Wahdat-ul-Muslimeen (MWM) have, regrettably, deteriorated the conditions in Kurram. Rather than tackling the fundamental problems of violence and hardship in the area, the organization has concentrated on protests and political actions occurring far from the real conflict zones. These protests, while intended positively, do not effectively address the genuine issues confronting the residents of Kurram, including insufficient government response, security concerns, and the quest for justice for victims of the violence. Had MWM truly dedicated itself to peace, it could have leveraged its platform to urge the provincial government to implement urgent and impactful measures to tackle the crisis in Kurram. This would involve making sure that the requirements of the displaced individuals are addressed, security is reinstated, and accountability is enforced for the violence. Regrettably, by concentrating on political maneuvering, MWM has shifted attention away from the urgent requirements of Kurram's inhabitants. This change in emphasis has resulted in the Kurram community lacking essential support and attention, rendering them vulnerable, powerless, and without a voice amid their continuing difficulties.

The peace agreement shows potential if executed consistently, ensuring safety and stability for displaced families.

In spite of numerous flaws, the peace agreement shows signs of potential. Actions to disarm militias, limit the spread of weapons, and shut down offices of prohibited organizations are initiatives that might lead to a more peaceful future—provided they are executed with consistency and dedication. The difficulty, nonetheless, lies not in the formalization of contracts but in enacting substantial transformation. The true challenge lies in making sure that the displaced families, who have faced incredible difficulties, are not merely assured a return to their homes but are truly guaranteed safety, stability, and a real chance for reintegration.

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Moreover, although stopping the use of weapons and penalizing those who protect offenders are vital actions, they are not nearly enough. To establish genuine peace in Kurram, a coordinated effort must be made to tackle the underlying systemic problems fueling the violence: land conflicts, persistent political corruption, and significant social inequalities. These are the underlying factors that ignite the fires of discord, and unless they are addressed directly, peace will stay a far-off aspiration, perpetually unattainable. Though the peace agreement in Kurram marks a short respite, it is not the resolution the area desperately needs. True peace can only be achieved when violence is addressed, justice is delivered, and the root causes of conflict are resolved. Until then, the question remains: Is this peace truly lasting, or is it just a temporary break before the cycle of violence starts again?

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To attain enduring peace in Kurram, various important measures need to be implemented. Initially, a transparent and uniform method must be established to recognize, charge, and ensure accountability for those who are culpable for the violence. Without this, justice will become a hollow commitment, and the cycle of violence will persist. Along with accountability, the provincial government needs to take on a more engaged and steadier role. Their participation must not be short-lived or reactionary; they are required to deliver consistent governance, maintaining peace and stability regardless of whether the area is tranquil or chaotic.

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Additionally, tackling the underlying causes of conflict, particularly the enduring land disagreements and inter-tribal strife, is essential. A sustainable, peaceful method for resolving conflicts needs to be established—one that promotes discussion and collaboration instead of turning to armed violence. In addition to these efforts, a thorough deweaponization program is essential. This must entail severe punishments for unlawful possession and use of weapons, diminishing the likelihood of violence.

Ultimately, assistance for families who have been displaced is crucial. Rehabilitation and resettlement initiatives need to be put in place to guarantee that families can safely go back to their residences, restore their lives, and rejoin a harmonious community. Kurram can only hope to escape the cycle of violence and establish a foundation for enduring peace by tackling these interrelated issues—accountability, governmental participation, conflict resolution, disarmament, and aid for displaced families.

Ends.