The ongoing violence in Pakistan’s Kurram Agency has become a grim reminder of the fragile state of peace in the region, as tribal clashes have claimed nearly 100 lives and displaced countless others. Despite a ceasefire agreement brokered by tribal elders and local authorities, hostilities between warring factions continue unabated. The fighting, centered around the Bagan, Talo Kunj, Badshah Kot, Irfani Kilay, Jalamy, and Chadrewal areas, has exposed deep-seated tensions that years of military operations and peace accords have failed to resolve.
The ceasefire, announced after negotiations led by a jirga in the Alizai area, was meant to provide respite and pave the way for a long-term solution. Kurram Deputy Commissioner Javedullah Mehsud extended the truce for 10 days, with both sides agreeing to vacate their trenches. These were to be taken over by the army and paramilitary forces to prevent further clashes. However, the agreement quickly fell apart, with renewed violence erupting, leaving local communities caught in the crossfire. This failure has sparked frustration and disappointment over the inaction of provincial and federal governments, which seem more focused on political crises in Islamabad than on addressing the life-and-death situation in Kurram.
The inability to secure lasting peace in Kurram underscores the broader challenges facing Pakistan’s northern tribal regions. Located along the porous border with Afghanistan, these areas have long been plagued by violence stemming from tribal rivalries, sectarian tensions, and the lingering presence of militant groups. Decades of instability have turned these regions into a hotbed for conflict, with the Kurram Agency often bearing the brunt due to its complex ethnic and sectarian makeup.
Successive military operations, while achieving short-term goals, have failed to address the root causes of violence in the tribal belt. Notable among these operations are “Operation Zarb-e-Azb” (launched in June 2014) and “Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad” (initiated in February 2017), which targeted militant strongholds across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). These campaigns disrupted terrorist networks and improved security in urban centers but left behind a vacuum in tribal governance. In Kurram, as in other parts of the region, the absence of effective state control has allowed tribal feuds and militancy to persist.
The geography of Kurram Agency further complicates matters. Bordering Afghanistan’s Nangarhar and Paktia provinces, the region has historically served as a key transit point for militants moving between the two countries. The rugged terrain and limited state presence have enabled groups like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other factions to exploit local grievances, fueling unrest. The proximity to Afghanistan also means that instability in Kurram often mirrors broader regional dynamics, including the ongoing fallout from the Taliban’s return to power in Kabul.
The government’s focus—or lack thereof—on resolving the crisis in Kurram has drawn sharp criticism. While Islamabad and Peshawar grapple with political turbulence, including protests by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters and subsequent heavy-handed crackdowns, the dire situation in Kurram remains largely ignored. The disproportionate allocation of resources to manage political dissent in the capital, compared to the negligible attention paid to tribal conflicts, speaks volumes about the government’s misplaced priorities. This neglect not only exacerbates the suffering of local communities but also risks turning Kurram into a breeding ground for further instability.
The tribal system in northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which once served as a mechanism for conflict resolution, has eroded over the years due to state intervention and the impact of militancy. Traditional jirgas, while still influential, often lack the authority or resources to enforce agreements, as evidenced by the collapse of the recent ceasefire in Kurram. The reliance on military interventions, without complementary efforts to strengthen local governance and address underlying grievances, has proven insufficient in bringing sustainable peace to the region.
The historical backdrop of Pakistan’s tribal areas adds another layer of complexity. These regions, merged into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2018 through constitutional amendments, were governed under the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) for over a century. The FCR’s draconian provisions, combined with decades of neglect, left the tribal areas underdeveloped and politically marginalized. The merger was intended to integrate these regions into the national mainstream, but the transition has been fraught with challenges, including inadequate funding, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and resistance from local power brokers.
Kurram’s plight is emblematic of the broader failure to implement a comprehensive post-conflict strategy in Pakistan’s tribal belt. Military victories, while crucial, cannot replace the need for effective governance, economic development, and reconciliation efforts. In the absence of these measures, peace remains elusive, and cycles of violence continue to disrupt the lives of ordinary people.
The human cost of the ongoing violence in Kurram cannot be overstated. Families are being displaced, schools and healthcare facilities are shutting down, and the local economy is grinding to a halt. The mental and physical toll on the region’s population, already scarred by years of conflict, is immense. Women and children, in particular, bear the brunt of the insecurity, with limited access to education, healthcare, and basic amenities.
To break this cycle, the government must prioritize a holistic approach to peacebuilding in Kurram and other tribal areas. This includes addressing the immediate security situation through robust law enforcement and dialogue while simultaneously investing in long-term development initiatives. Strengthening local institutions, ensuring equitable resource distribution, and fostering inter-tribal harmony are essential steps toward achieving lasting stability.
The violence in Kurram is a sobering reminder of the challenges that persist in Pakistan’s tribal regions, despite years of military efforts and political promises. As the death toll rises and ceasefire agreements falter, the need for urgent and sustained action becomes ever more apparent. The people of Kurram, and the wider tribal belt, deserve more than temporary solutions and political apathy. They deserve a future free from violence, built on the foundations of justice, development, and peace.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Coverpage’s editorial stance.
