The Peace Agreement District Kurram executed in Para Chanar

  • Country/entity
    Pakistan
  • Region
    Asia and Pacific
  • Agreement name
    The Peace Agreement District Kurram executed in Para Chanar
  • Date
    14 Jul 2023
  • Agreement status
    Multiparty signed/agreed
  • Interim arrangement
    Yes
  • Agreement/conflict level
    Intrastate/local conflict ( India-Pakistan Conflict (1947 - ) and the Pakistani Taliban (2001 - ) )
  • Stage
    Ceasefire/related
  • Conflict nature
    Government/territory
  • Peace process
    Pakistan-Taliban process
  • Parties
    Kurram Shia Tribes
    Kurram 'Takfiri' Tribes
  • Third parties
    Local tribal council (Jirga-e-Qaumi)
    Pakistani army
    30-member peace jirga led by Commissioner Kohat
  • Description
    A short local inter-tribal six point ceasefire agreement outlining the areas of enforcement in the district, providing for elements of demobilisation and setting out terms of violation. Substantively safe passage and road access for citizens is addressed, as well as elements of social cover. The agreement also describes the grand jirga consisting of tribal elders as acting as a local implementation mechanism, overseeing fighting posts vacated by both parties. The term 'teega' in provision 3 is a Pashto word for the placing of a symbolic stone representing a commitment to a cessation of hostilities.

Local agreement properties

  • Process type
    Formal structured process
  • Rationale
    There is clearly a dedicated body supporting, mediating and helping to implement this local tribal ceasefire. It also seems form further available source material that there is a clearly established structure for implementation in the local areas concerned. The 30 member peace 'jirga' (conference of tribal elders) is led and supported by the commissioner and deputy commissioner of the area, as well as consulting with the local district administration, district police and other law enforcement agencies.
  • Is there a documented link to a national peace process?
    No
  • Link to national process: articulated rationale
    No clearly described link either in the agreement text or in further available research sources.
  • Name of Locale
    Kurram
  • Nature Of Locale
    Region
  • GPS Lat/Long (DD)
    33.958922, 69.903209
  • Participant type
    Local armed group
    Domestic religious organisation/leader or other elder
    Local community/civilian group(s)/civil society organisations
  • Mediator, facilitator or similar
    Mediator or similar referred to
    Mediator (references)
    Page 1, Preamble, ... the worthy Commissioner of the Kohat division Syed Muhammad Ali Shah constituted a divisional Grand Jirga (a committee of tribal elders) consisting of the tribal elders representing district Kohat, district Hangu, and district Orakzai. A meeting of this Grand Jirga convened by the Commissioner Kohat division and chaired by the deputy commissioner Dr Azmat Wazir took place on 11 July 2023 in district Kurram. The jirga members undertook a long, drawn-out process of consultation between the local district administration, district police, law enforcement agencies and the local tribal elders to reach a ceasefire agreement between the warring factions.
    Type of mediator/facilitator/similar
    Domestic religious organisation/leader or other elder

Local issues

  • Ritual/prayer and process (including use of scripture)

    No specific mention.

  • Grievance List
    An armed conflict that later mutated into a sectarian issue broke out at various locations in the district Kurram on 07 July 2023 and lasted till 13 July 2023. (new-tab Locate in agreement)
    Still, due to the aggravation of violence at different locations, they could not end the warfare despite their joint effort. (new-tab Locate in agreement)
  • Cattle rustling/banditry

    No specific mention.

  • Social cover
    5. If any unpleasant incident occurs, the area's residents will be duty-bound to extend all kinds of help to the district administration, district police and all law enforcement agencies to facilitate the apprehension of the accused. (new-tab Locate in agreement)
    The residents of the area will desist from siding with the accused so that the real perpetrators can be penalised for the maintenance of peace in the area. (new-tab Locate in agreement)
    Moreover, if it comes to light that any person or group has directly or indirectly tried to protect the accused, he/they will be treated as accused. (new-tab Locate in agreement)
    6. If any group or person is found violating any of the above clauses, they will be fined 120 million pkr. (new-tab Locate in agreement)
    The amount of fine will be confiscated in the name of the government and the members of the Jirga. (new-tab Locate in agreement)

The Peace Agreement District Kurram executed in Para Chanar

An armed conflict that later mutated into a sectarian issue broke out at various locations in the district Kurram on 07 July 2023 and lasted till 13 July 2023.

The district administration, the district police and the law enforcement agencies collaborated with the tribal elders from the Upper, Central and Lower regions of Kurram.

Still, due to the aggravation of violence at different locations, they could not end the warfare despite their joint effort.

Finally, the worthy Commissioner of the Kohat division Syed Muhammad Ali Shah constituted a divisional Grand Jirga (a committee of tribal elders) consisting of the tribal elders representing district Kohat, district Hangu, and district Orakzai.

A meeting of this Grand Jirga convened by the Commissioner Kohat division and chaired by the deputy commissioner Dr Azmat Wazir took place on 11 July 2023 in district Kurram.

The jirga members undertook a long, drawn-out process of consultation between the local district administration, district police, law enforcement agencies and the local tribal elders to reach a ceasefire agreement between the warring factions.

Due to their untiring struggle that continued day in and day out, a ceasefire was implemented in all the conflict zones.

Moreover, the conflicting parties authorised the members of the divisional Grand Jirga to take the necessary measures to enforce the ceasefire and maintain peace in the district.

After lengthy negotiations, the members of the Grand Jirga concluded the peace deal between all the parties in the Upper, Central and Lower Kurram based on the strict observance of the following conditions:

1. Ceasefire between the fighting parties is enforced in all locations of district Kurram.

2. The fighting posts will be vacated by all the fighting groups under the watch of the members of the Grand Jirga and the control of all the fighting posts will be handed over to the district police and the law enforcement agencies.

3. Starting with immediate effect, the "taega" has been placed between the fighting parties for one year.

4. All the roads of district Kurram will be open to the public for safe access and passage.

5. If any unpleasant incident occurs, the area's residents will be duty-bound to extend all kinds of help to the district administration, district police and all law enforcement agencies to facilitate the apprehension of the accused.

The residents of the area will desist from siding with the accused so that the real perpetrators can be penalised for the maintenance of peace in the area.

Moreover, if it comes to light that any person or group has directly or indirectly tried to protect the accused, he/they will be treated as accused.

6. If any group or person is found violating any of the above clauses, they will be fined 120 million pkr.

The amount of fine will be confiscated in the name of the government and the members of the Jirga.

Moreover, that person or group will also be prosecuted in a court of law.