IN a welcome development, the Grand Peace Jirga, constituted by the KP Government succeeded in its efforts to address the dispute in Kurram to the satisfaction of the two sides. The parties signed a fourteen point agreement envisaging all parties will surrender heavy weapons to the government. Construction of new bunkers has been prohibited, and existing bunkers must be demolished within a month. Any party launching an offensive after bunker demolition will be declared a terrorist. Travel routes will be secured, and additional security personnel will be deployed. Residents of the area where a terrorist incident occurs will be held responsible for that and provision of refuge or assistance to terrorists will be considered a crime.
The agreement can lead to durable peace in the area provided the agreed points are fully abided by the two sides. In the immediate context, the signing of the accord prompted the MWM to call off its country-wide protest and hopefully the situation will improve significantly with the implementation of the agreement by the factions as well as the provincial government, which must be appreciated for the hard work done to resolve the conflict in an amicable manner. There was a lot of concern among people of Pakistan as the conflict was assuming dangerous proportions. Clashes stemming from decades-old land disputes have claimed at least 130 lives since last month and road blockades not only sent wrong signals of free for all in the area but also created shortages of food and medicines for people. The agreement comprehensively deals with all aspects of the situation and hopefully remaining elements will also be handled in the same spirit to ensure peace and brotherhood in the area.
