The Peace Agreement District Kurram executed in Para Chanar

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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 - )
Two distinct contexts have generated agreements.

India-Pakistan Conflict (1947 - )
The roots of the India-Pakistan Conflict lay in the partition of the British Indian Empire following the end of World War II, and the creation of the predominately Muslim Dominion of Pakistan (now Pakistan and Bangladesh) and the Union of India in 1947. Fuelled by Hindu and Muslim nationalism, the political partition spurred the largest mass migration as minorities sought reference among their communal majorities. Retaliatory violence on both sides led to the deaths of 200,000 to 500,000 people.

A few weeks following the partition, Pakistan sent tribal militias into the Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir, sparking the Indo-Pakistan War of 1947. Two other wars broke out in 1965 and in 1991, as well as a number of skirmishes over the Siachan Glacier. The conflict has seen less casualties since the announcement of a ceasefire in 2003, despite frequent violations by both sides. Public unrest remains sporadic and there has been occasional actions by Islamic militants. In addition, despite a decrease in human rights conditions by occupying forces on both sides, abuses are still documented.

Another dimension of the conflict developed in 1997, after Pakistan announced a successful nuclear test. Since then there has been a proliferation of treaties ensuring clear lines of communication in regards to nuclear testing and accidents to deter accidental escalation.

Pakistan-Afghanistan-US Conflict (2001 - )
Since the 2000s, the Afghanistan war had a noticeable spill-over effect to Pakistan. The Afghan Taliban maintain several strongholds in the western parts of Pakistan, especially in the Northwest Tribal Region. Native Islamist guerrilla outfits also remain active in the region and in 2007 they formed the umbrella organisation known as the Pakistan Taliban until it splintered into four different groups in 2014.
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.

Agreement document: PK_230714_The Peace Agreement District Kurram executed in Para Chanar_EN.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF
Agreement document (original language): PK_230714_The Peace Agreement District Kurram executed in Para Chanar.pdf (opens in new tab)| Download PDF

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

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.