Warring tribal groups in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kurram district have agreed to a seven-day ceasefire following days of violent clashes that claimed at least 30 lives and injured dozens. Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, a KP government spokesperson, confirmed the development on Sunday, stating that both parties have also agreed to return each other’s hostages and bodies.
The ceasefire was brokered after a government delegation, led by Barrister Saif, traveled to Parachinar, Kurram’s main city, to hold discussions with tribal leaders. The delegation engaged both groups in efforts to halt the violence and work toward a resolution.
The clashes erupted on Thursday when gunmen attacked convoys of civilian vehicles, killing at least 44 people. This triggered retaliatory attacks, escalating into fierce battles between armed groups. Over the past three days, at least 75 people have been killed, according to police reports. Hundreds of families, seeking refuge from the violence, have fled to nearby areas like Hangu and Peshawar, with more families preparing to leave the conflict zone.
Armed groups have targeted settlements inhabited by rival tribes, causing widespread displacement and fear. A senior official confirmed that around 300 families have already relocated since Sunday morning.
Violence in Kurram district has been recurrent, with tribal and family feuds being common. In recent months, clashes in July and September resulted in dozens of deaths, with a ceasefire being achieved only after interventions by jirgas (tribal councils). Between July and October, at least 79 people lost their lives in similar conflicts, according to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP).
The latest violence has drawn nationwide condemnation from officials and human rights organizations. Protests against the violence were held on Friday in cities like Lahore and Karachi. In Parachinar, thousands participated in a sit-in, while hundreds attended the funerals of Thursday’s victims.
The HRCP has expressed grave concern over the escalating frequency of clashes, calling for immediate government attention. The organization warned that the situation in Kurram has reached “humanitarian crisis” levels and urged authorities to address the root causes of the conflict.
The temporary ceasefire offers a glimmer of hope for peace in the violence-hit district, but resolving longstanding tribal disputes remains a critical challenge for the region.
