The Kurram district, located in the northwestern part of Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, has long been a volatile region. Situated along the border with Afghanistan, it has witnessed violent tribal conflicts, sectarian violence, and militant attacks for years. Recently, tensions escalated when clashes broke out between two tribes over a property dispute, leading to five days of intense fighting that resulted in 51 deaths and 158 injuries. While the immediate violence has been halted through a ceasefire negotiated by tribal elders, the underlying issues that fuel such conflicts remain unresolved.
The ceasefire brokered by local leaders, notably through a jirga (a traditional assembly of tribal elders), is seen as a critical step toward calming the immediate tensions. However, achieving long-term peace in Kurram requires addressing a broader set of challenges: historical grievances, political marginalization, economic deprivation, and the need for inclusive governance. Drawing upon John Paul Lederach's model of peacebuilding, we can identify a comprehensive approach that encompasses not only top-down interventions from the government and military but also bottom-up initiatives that empower local communities and leaders.
The Role of Tribal Leaders and Traditional Peacebuilding Mechanisms
In many tribal regions, such as Kurram, the jirga system plays a crucial role in conflict resolution. The jirga brings together influential local leaders to mediate disputes, make binding decisions, and restore peace. This traditional model of conflict resolution remains relevant, especially in areas where formal state institutions are weak or distant. However, while the jirga can resolve immediate issues, it is not a panacea for deep-rooted conflicts. It often operates within a framework that might reinforce tribal hierarchies, exclude marginalized groups, and focus on narrow issues like land disputes rather than broader social justice.
The role of tribal leaders, such as Sajid Hussain Turi, a local politician, and former parliamentarians from the merged districts of FATA, is pivotal. These figures not only facilitate ceasefires but also engage in ongoing efforts to mediate lasting solutions. Sajid Turi, who has been at the forefront of peace negotiations, has called for a comprehensive approach that involves all stakeholders, from local communities to government authorities. His emphasis on integrating the jirga system with modern governance practices is central to finding a sustainable resolution to the conflict in Kurram. This middle-range approach, as outlined by Lederach’s model, connects the local grassroots leadership with higher levels of government, ensuring that the peace process reflects both traditional values and modern governance needs.
Addressing the Root Causes: Historical Context and Systemic Issues
While the jirga offers an immediate solution to disputes, it does not address the deep-rooted causes of conflict in Kurram. The region’s history of violence dates back decades, marked by political marginalization, sectarian tensions, and the intrusion of external actors. These conflicts were exacerbated by the region's integration into the national fold after the passage of the 25th Constitutional Amendment, which merged the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2018. This transition, while politically significant, has failed to bring the promised improvements in governance, infrastructure, and public services. In fact, many locals feel that they are still deprived of basic services like healthcare, education, and economic opportunities, despite their constitutional inclusion.
The former parliamentarians who have offered their services for peace, including figures like Hamidullah Jan Afridi and Shaukatullah Khan, have highlighted the lack of attention to these systemic issues. They argue that peace cannot be achieved without addressing the region's socioeconomic development. The absence of basic services, coupled with the failure of the government to fully implement the promises made during the merger process, has fueled a sense of deprivation among the tribal populations. This unresolved grievance is a key driver of the ongoing conflict. As the former parliamentarians have pointed out, the government must focus on fulfilling its promises to integrate these areas and provide economic development opportunities to prevent future violence.
The Government and Military: Challenges and Limitations
The role of the government and military in Kurram’s peace process is critical but complex. The Pakistani state has often relied on military operations to restore order, yet these have frequently been short-lived and have not addressed the underlying issues. As highlighted by former senator Abdur Raziq Afridi, the use of force alone cannot provide a lasting solution. Military operations tend to create a temporary peace but fail to resolve the root causes of conflict, such as economic deprivation, lack of political representation, and historical injustices.
Moreover, the political leadership has been criticized for its “non-serious” approach to addressing the situation. Despite the federal government's promises to mainstream Kurram and other tribal areas, there has been little progress in translating these promises into concrete actions. The former parliamentarians, with their deep understanding of tribal dynamics, emphasize that the government must go beyond the blame game and focus on restoring trust among the tribes. This can only happen if the state addresses local grievances and delivers on promises related to infrastructure, education, and healthcare.
Inclusive Governance: Empowering Marginalized Groups
A key aspect of achieving lasting peace in Kurram is the inclusion of marginalized groups—particularly women and youth—in the peace process. While tribal elders play a central role in negotiations, women and youth are often excluded from formal decision-making processes. Yet, studies show that including women in peacebuilding efforts leads to more durable and comprehensive solutions. Women, as primary caregivers and community organizers, are often the first to feel the effects of conflict, and their involvement in peacebuilding can help build bridges between divided communities.
Likewise, involving the youth, who are often caught in cycles of violence and extremism, is crucial. The youth of Kurram, like their peers across Pakistan, face high levels of unemployment and lack of educational opportunities. By creating avenues for youth involvement in governance and peacebuilding, the government can help redirect their energies away from violence and toward constructive societal roles.
A Comprehensive Roadmap for Peace
Drawing from Lederach’s model, the path to peace in Kurram involves a comprehensive, multi-level approach. The peace process should include:
-
Immediate Ceasefire and Confidence-Building Measures: Local leaders should continue their efforts to broker ceasefires and ensure that the violence does not reignite. Confidence-building measures, such as opening up communication channels between tribes, can help rebuild trust.
-
Integration of Local and Traditional Leadership with Modern Governance: The jirga system should be integrated with formal governance structures. This would ensure that local customs and traditional authority are respected while also incorporating modern legal frameworks and institutions. The role of figures like Sajid Turi, who bridge the gap between the government and tribal leaders, is essential in this process.
-
Addressing Socioeconomic Grievances: The government must prioritize infrastructure development, healthcare, and education in Kurram to address the underlying socioeconomic causes of conflict. Economic opportunities must be created to alleviate the sense of deprivation among tribal populations.
-
Inclusive Peacebuilding: Women, youth, and other marginalized groups should be included in peace negotiations and decision-making. Their involvement will ensure that peace agreements reflect the needs of all members of society and lead to more sustainable solutions.
-
Long-Term Commitment to Stability: Lasting peace in Kurram will require a long-term commitment from the government, military, and local leadership to address not only the immediate conflict but also the underlying issues of governance, development, and social justice. This includes ensuring the proper implementation of the promises made during the integration of tribal areas into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The peace process in Kurram offers valuable lessons in conflict resolution and peacebuilding. While the jirga system and the leadership of figures like Sajid Turi have played a crucial role in halting immediate violence, sustainable peace can only be achieved through a comprehensive, multi-level approach that addresses historical grievances, political marginalization, and economic deprivation. By integrating traditional and modern governance, empowering marginalized groups, and addressing the systemic issues that fuel conflict, Kurram can set a precedent for peace in Pakistan's tribal regions. Ultimately, lasting peace will require not only the cessation of violence but also a deep, transformative change in the region's social, political, and economic fabric.
