Daily Times

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on Saturday decided to constitute a high-powered commission to settle land disputes between warring tribes in Kurram district amid a prevalent tense situation that saw 18 killed in fresh clashes.

Efforts were underway with a jirga meeting held to restore peace in Kurram district as the ongoing violent clashes between the tribal groups in the district resulted in the killing of 12 more people over the past 24 hours, taking the death toll to 30, police said on Saturday.

At least 75 people have been killed over the past three days in the ongoing gun battles between different tribes, according to police.

The KP government sent a high-level delegation to Kurram to improve the security situation in the area, comprising KP Law Minister Aftab Alam, KP Chief Secretary (CS) Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry, the Kohat Division commissioner and deputy inspector general of police, and other high-level officials.

The delegation was tasked to take measures to improve the security situation and also make efforts to utilise the local jirga for the purpose.

Alam said that recommendations would be forwarded to the chief minister. He said that all departments were making tireless efforts to improve the law and order situation in Kurram. Talking to the media after a jirga meeting comprising high-level officials, Alam said: “KP government [has] decided to constitute a high-powered commission to settle land disputes among the warring tribes in Kurram.”

He said a government delegation held a meeting with and spoke to various stakeholders in Kurram, saying that the biggest issue in the district was land disputes.

“There were very positive meetings with one stakeholder group and the government delegation was assured of cooperation.

“A report will be made on all the incidents taking place in Kurram and presented to the chief minister and other senior officials,” he said.

Alam said a new high-level commission would be established to resolve the Kurram disputes since all commissions and committees previously formed were not acceptable to any of the parties.

“This time, the commission will be formed according to the wishes of the parties,” he said, adding that it would be acceptable to everyone. Alam said the land disputes between the various groups in Kurram were being given the colour of sectarian riots, adding that it was wrong to do so.

The provincial law minister said the report on Kurram’s issues would also be presented in a meeting of the apex committee.

Kurram Deputy Commissioner (DC) Javedullah Mehsud said efforts were being made to re-establish peace in the area, reiterating yesterday’s statement.

DC Mehsud said officials of security forces and local administration attended the meeting convened at the DC Conference Hall.

“With the help of local elders, forces and the administration, peace will be established as soon as possible,” the official said.

According to witnesses, the vehicles in Thursday’s attack were ambushed from four sides. Muhammad, a 14-year-old survivor, told the media that the assault lasted around 30 minutes.

Authorities said that the victims included seven women and three children, with 16 others injured – 11 of whom are in critical condition.

Speculation also surrounds the involvement of the TTP, which has recently been active in Lower Kurram, prompting fears among the residents. But government officials attributed the incident to the ongoing land dispute, ruling out sectarian motives.

A press release issued from CM Gandapur’s office said that he held an online meeting via video link with the government delegation after the jirga and reviewed the current situation in the district while being briefed on today’s developments.

The government delegation also presented its initial report to the chief minister. It informed the chief minister about the suggestions and demands of the Shia elders it met today, adding that a similar meeting would be held with Sunni elders on Sunday.

“The provincial government is making serious efforts for a peaceful and sustainable solution to the Kurram conflict. I am personally monitoring the situation in Kurram,” CM Gandapur said, adding that Thursday’s incident was “extremely regrettable and condemnable” and he shared in the grief of the affected families.

“Efforts are being made to ensure that such tragic incidents do not recur. The provincial government will decide the future course of action in the light of consultation with the elders of the area.

“Whatever the legitimate demands of the parties are will definitely be fulfilled. The government delegation should sit with the parties and the elders of the area and present final proposals,” he said.

CM Gandapur stressed that a ceasefire in the area was indispensable to move towards resolving the conflict and urged all parties to observe one so that progress could be made towards ending current tensions.

Earlier in the day, reports circulated in the media about an alleged firing attack on the government delegation’s helicopter in Parachinar, causing it to land. A statement was also issued from the KP governor’s office condemning the alleged incident.

However, Alam told the media that the news was “baseless” and nothing of the sort happened.

“No such incident has occurred. The news of the firing on the helicopter is false. The government delegation, including me, is safe,” he said.