Kurram Jirga Calls for Peace and Cross-Border Dialogue

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The Kurram Jirga, convened by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Chief Minister, concluded with a push for enduring peace and cross-border talks with Afghanistan to promote regional stability and economic growth.

On August 9, 2025, the final session of a series of regional consultative Jirgas on law and order, hosted by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, took place at the Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar. According to The Express Tribune, the gathering united tribal elders from Upper, Central, and Lower Kurram, alongside political leaders and members of the National Assembly (NA) and Provincial Assembly (PA). The Jirga aimed to restore stability in Kurram district, a region marked by sectarian violence, by fostering unity between Sunni and Shia communities and advocating for trade initiatives with Afghanistan to enhance local employment opportunities.

Participants lauded Gandapur’s proactive engagement with tribal leaders to address Kurram’s persistent security challenges. Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, Adviser to the Chief Minister on Information and Public Relations, highlighted the provincial government’s efforts, including a special development package and emergency helicopter services for crisis-hit areas. Tribal elders expressed appreciation for these initiatives, emphasizing that peace is a prerequisite for progress. “Stability is vital for Kurram’s development,” they declared, as reported by The Express Tribune, committing to work with authorities to counter terrorism and ensure lasting security. They referenced the district’s recent violence, which claimed over 130 lives since July 2024, per The News International.

A central recommendation from the Jirga was the establishment of an empowered committee, comprising federal and provincial officials, security agencies, and local elders, to initiate cross-border dialogue with Afghanistan. This effort seeks to address Kurram’s security issues, exacerbated by its border proximity, and to open trade routes for economic benefits. Arab News noted that elders stressed the potential of these routes to uplift local livelihoods. The Jirga built on a January 2025 14-point peace accord, which called for disarmament and the removal of bunkers, though implementation remains incomplete, according to Voicepk.net.

The Kurram Jirga’s outcomes signal a determined push to end sectarian strife and economic marginalization in the region. By promoting dialogue and actionable solutions, it offers hope for sustainable peace and prosperity in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.