A 16-member peace jirga has managed a ceasefire in the Sadda, Parachinar and Arauli areas of Kurram Agency, where sectarian clashes have raged over the past week, and returned to Hangu on Saturday for peace negotiations, locals and eyewitnesses told Daily Times.Jirga member Syed Alhussaini told Daily Times that both parties would nominate eight people for peace discussions and would review the situation arising from the clashes to find a durable solution.
Denial: Political authorities, meanwhile, denied reports of nearly 50 deaths in renewed sectarian fighting overnight in Parachinar. “There was some fighting late on Friday and several militants were killed, but we do not have exact details of casualties,” AFP quoted government spokesman Amjad Iqbal as saying.T he staff report goes on to add that security forces had begun patrolling the main highway between Chappari, Sadda and Parachinar.
Political Agent Zaheerul Islam told reporters that Governor Lt Gen (r) Ali Muhammad Jan Orakzai visited Parachinar on Thursday and talked to jirgas and urged them to intensify efforts for peace. Meanwhile, on orders from the governor, 50 tonnes of relief goods, including food, for the locally displaced people are being airlifted to Parachinar.