Frontier Constabulary to be deployed in Kurram: KP govt

Peshawar: Adviser to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister on Information, Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif, announced new security measures to ensure lasting peace in Kurram district. The measures include the establishment of additional police checkposts and the deployment of two platoons of the Frontier Constabulary (FC). Additionally, 400 new police personnel have been approved to secure the critical Kurram highway.

The announcement follows a peace agreement signed by two warring tribes in the district after weeks of violence. The peace accord, which contains 14 points, was mediated by a grand peace jirga under the supervision of GOC 9 Division Major General Zulfiqar Bhatti. The jirga held over 50 sessions with support from local administration, including the commissioner and DIG police, to finalize the agreement.

According to jirga member Malik Sawab Khan, both tribes have agreed to hand over their weapons to the government. The deal comes after repeated efforts to establish peace in the district, which has seen over 130 lives lost since November due to clashes.

The conflict has intensified a humanitarian crisis, with critical shortages of medicine and oxygen caused by prolonged road closures. The death toll in Kurram district, home to over 600,000 residents, has exceeded 200 since July.

Barrister Saif stated that road closures were a necessary measure to prevent further bloodshed but assured that the government is fully aware of the challenges faced by residents. Relief efforts are underway, including the chief minister’s helicopter being used to transport medicines and evacuate people. “Around 15 tonnes of medicines have been delivered, and over 700 people have been provided air services,” he said.

Regarding the ongoing sit-in at the Parachinar Press Club, Saif noted that the demonstrators’ demands had been met and deemed the protest unnecessary. He also confirmed that the government would soon begin providing compensation to those affected by the violence.