War and peace

War and peace

Saturday, October 18, 2008 As debate on terrorism and the national security situation continues in the secret session of parliament, members of opposition parties have called for an end to the use of force and the opening up of talks with militants. The JUI-F chief, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, has offered to mediate between the government and militants. Faced with fierce criticism over its policies, the government has said it may reconsider them. The ongoing discussion at the joint sitting of both houses coincides with a peace accord in the Kurram agency, mediated by tribal elders. Under it, the warring Turi and Bangash tribes, locked for months in a sectarian conflict that has claimed hundreds of victims, have agreed to re-open roads in the area, exchange prisoners, release kidnapped persons and, with any luck, end violence. For months food has not been reaching the upper parts of Kurram agency, adding to the suffering of thousands in Parachinar and other towns. People have been forced to travel through Afghanistan to reach Peshawar. Now that peace seems to have won over war, their plight will hopefully improve. The triumph of peace, over conflict, is almost always welcome. Certainly, this is the case in Kurram where too much blood has been senselessly spilled. But we must question whether the call for dialogue made by opposition figures in parliament is necessarily a wise one. The problem is that, in the past, talks with militants have repeatedly been violated by them. The most recent example of this came only weeks ago in Swat. A deal under which key figures of Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e-Shariah Mohammadi were released in return for peace was broken within months by militants. This has happened too in Bajaur, in Waziristan and elsewhere. That the roar of gunfire has ceased in Kurram is good news. Negotiations seem to have worked in halting the battle between local Shia and Sunni tribes. But elsewhere in our northern areas, the nature of the war between militants and security forces is rather different. These elements threaten the very existence of Pakistan; they have proved themselves to be unreliable, committed only to pursuing their own self-interest. For these reasons, the strategy to be adopted against them needs to be carefully considered. The parliamentarians must keep in mind that peace may not always be preferable to war, particularly when such a peace means more violence in the future. These factors must be carefully weighed and all sides put forward at the debate before any final conclusion is reached. Sunday, October 19, 2008, Shawwal 19, 1429 A.H

Kurram tribes sign peace accord

Kurram tribes sign peace accord

Toori, Mengal tribes to return to their areas | Violator to be fined with sixty million rupees

Agencies

MURREE/PARACHINAR: The elders and tribal chiefs of the two rival Turi and Mengal tribes have signed a written agreement to execute permanent peace in Kurram Agency, according to top government officials on Thursday. After the agreement, the warring tribes would return to their respective areas and leave their bunkers. In case of a violation of the declaration, the tribe responsible would be charged sixty million rupees. A 100-member peace jirga comprised 50 members each from both the tribes and 20 members from other tribal agencies, including MNA Munir Orakzai and MNA Sajid Turi and Senator Rasheed Khan, former senator Sajjad Syed and Kurram Agency Political Agent Azam Khan and Lower Kurram Assistant Political Agent Ayyaz Khan Mandokhel. They met at Murree and agreed to hold ceasefire between the warring Turi and Mengal tribes. They signed an agreement to restore peace in the area and end clashes continuing for more than a year. A 15-member committee and peace jirga comprising 23 members inked the peace treaty. An official said that both sides agreed that all roads including main Thall-Parachinar road closed for about one and a half years now, would be opened to traffic by Friday (today). He said that elders of both sects agreed that they would leave the occupied areas and return to original positions. "All bases occupied by the two sides would be given under the control of Frontier Corps and local political administration," he said, and added that it was also decided that a tribal jirga representing all tribal areas would be held in Kurram Agency on November 2 in which one more agreement would be signed to evacuate the occupied areas. The ongoing clashes have claimed more than 1000 lives and left more than 4000 injured. The clashes have taken their toll on residents of Kurram Agency who are also facing severe food and drug shortages and the area has been without electricity for the last several months. Malik Amanullah, Kamal Hussain, Maisam Ali Turi, Gulzar Hussan Turi, Salim Khan, Subhanullah expressed satisfaction over the jirga's decision and termed it an important development towards restoration of peace. They hoped that now peace would be returned to the agency. The tribal elders demanded the government take swift measures to restore the electricity supply to the agency. Amanullah said that the tribesmen were facing extreme hardship due to lack of electricity. "The area has been without electricity for the last several months, causing water shortages," he added. Kamal said that the local people wanted peace in the area and were fed up with ongoing militancy in the agency. Friday,  October 17, 2008

Kurram rival tribes agree on peace accord

ISLAMABAD (Agencies) - A peace pact has been brokered between two rival factions of a tribe - Toori and Mengal - in Kurram Agency here Thursday.
Addressing a news conference here Thursday following several days of deliberations by the jirga, tribal elders, elected representatives from the area and the Political Agent expressed confidence that the accord would herald peace and tranquillity in the Agency.
Under the agreement, there will be exchange of dead bodies and kidnapped people in the presence of the administration, roads including main Thall-Parachinar road closed for about one and a half years, would be reopened for all kind of traffic by Friday (today), seven hundred displaced persons will be allowed to return to their homes. Supply of food and medicines would be ensured. Bunkers would be vacated and handed over to FC personnel and political administration.
The accord envisages fine worth 60 million rupees on violation of the understanding and transgression would be treated as anti-peace move and violators dealt with accordingly.
The jirga would go to Kurram on 25th of this month to ensure implementation of the agreement by both sides and jirga members have already started contacts with the rival groups for the purpose.
It was also decided that a tribal jirga representing all tribal areas would be held in Kurram on November 2 in which one more agreement would be made to evacuate the occupied areas.
The tribal elders assured cooperation of all the parties of Agency to the Government for maintaining peace in the area. They also demanded of the government to step up the number of FC troops in the Agency.
The Political Agent proposed that the Government should provide massive development funds to Kurram to fight its backwardness and serve as an incentive for other agencies to go for peace.
The jirga members thanked the elected representatives of the area for their contribution towards restoration of peace
The jirga members Malik Aman Ullah, Haji Kamal Hussain, Maisam Ali Toori, Gulzar Hussan Toori, Haji Salim Khan, Subhan Ullah called upon the government to take practical steps for the restoration of power supply to the Agency.

 Friday, 

October 17, 2008 

Agreement kindles hope of peace in Kurram

ISLAMABAD, Oct 16: A grand jirga of Kurram Agency has brokered a peace deal between warring sectarian groups in the region.

Under the agreement, the two sides agreed to exchange kidnapped people and reopen all roads in the area.

The agreement was signed after weeks of efforts made by the peace jirga comprising 50 representatives of each side.

Elders and Maliks of the two sects took part in the dialogue. Kurram Agency’s Political Agent Azam Khan represented the government and played the key role of mediator.

The talks were held in Islamabad and Murree and details of the agreement were announced at a press conference on Thursday.

The accord is expected to end the violence between Sunni Bangash and Shia Turi tribesmen that has plagued the agency bordering Afghanistan for one and a half years.

Hundreds of people have been killed in the clashes and the road to Parachinar has remained closed for several months, cutting off supplies to the agency’s main town.

People coming to Peshawar have been forced to travel via the Paktia province of Afghanistan.

The political agent said he was confident the accord would herald an era of peace in the agency because both the groups had agreed to cooperate with the administration for the purpose.

The agreement says that roads would be reopened to ensure supply of foodstuff, medicines and other essential items.

They also agreed to exchange bodies of people killed and tribesmen of the two sides kidnapped and captured and to allow the displaced people to return to their villages.

Both the groups have promised to provide protection to travellers. Bunkers would be vacated and handed over to the Frontier Corps.

A fine of Rs60 million will be imposed for any violation of the agreement. Any violation will be treated as a move against peace and violators will be dealt with accordingly.

The grand jirga will go to Kurram Agency on November 2 to ensure implementation of the agreement by both sides.

Another jirga will be held next month to resolve other contentious issues.

The tribal elders promised to cooperate with the government in maintaining peace.

They said the agency did not have the required strength of FC and the government would be asked to deploy more law-enforcement personnel.

The political agent proposed that the government should allocated funds as a peace dividend for development of the agency and to serve as an incentive for other agencies to strive for peace.

October 17, 2008 Friday Shawwal 17, 1429

Opponent sectarian groups in Kurram Agency sign Peace Accord

ISLAMABAD: The two opponent sectarian groups of Shiite and Sunnis of Kurram Agency have signed a ‘Peace Accord’ to quell a one and half year long tribal warfare which has claimed more than 300 lives and devastated 31 villages.

The signing ceremony of “Islamabad Peace Accord” was held here in Murree on Thursday in which 50 members from both sides of rival tribes participated.

Political Agent Kurram Agency, Malik Azam Khan, Waris Khan Afridi, Senator Abdul ur Rehman Fakir (Member National Assembly (Mehmand Agency) Bismillah Khan (Bajaur Agency), Farzand Ali Bangash (Peshawar), Nijat Ali Khan Orakzai (Hangu), Malik Abdullah Khan Asterzai, Hajji Jamal Hassan Orakzai Agency, Syed Badshah Hussain Orakzai Agency, Hajji Izatt Gul Orakzai Agency and Faiz ullah Orakzai signed the “Islamabad Peace Accord”.

During the meeting the participants reviewed all aspects to stop sectarian tension in the area. They finally concluded that violator of the agreement would be a traitor to the Nation against whom government must take action besides a fine of Rs. 20 million.

Both sides also agreed to restore the communication network of Kurram Agency with rest of the parts of Pakistan while Peshawar and Parachinar Roads will be opened in accordance with the 25th October Accord.

They also agreed that both sectarian groups would go back to their original positions after vacating the present areas and land abandoned by affectees would be return to them as soon as possible, all the hostages and arrested people would be released, and respectable burial ritual will be performed of expired persons, while all bases occupied by the two sides will be handed over to the control of Frontier Corps.

They also appreciated the role of government by bringing both the opponent tribes at table for dialogue as well as noble efforts of Jirga members and people of Kurram Agency.

They further said that they have reached on agreement with mutual understanding and good intentions, agreeing that no sect can impose their decisions forcefully on any one; adding that they would remain successful due to their customs and habits.

They also thanked the MNAs, MPAs especially those of shite sect and Ahle-Sunnah Wal Jamaat for their cooperation and said that Peace Jirga will visit Kurram Agency on 25 October to review the situation.

They also expressed their complete satisfaction on hundreds percent implantation on Peace Accord and hoped that administration and government would also make its utmost for implementation the Pact.

On the occasion, Political Agency said that if Peace Jirga achieved success in implementation of Peace Accord then government must come forward to announce funds for the progress and development of Kurram Agency.

Online - International News Network - 

the Internet Edition

17/10/2008

http://www.onlinenews.com.pk 

Steps for recovery of Toris demanded F.P. Report

Steps for recovery of Toris demanded F.P. Report

PESHAWAR: The Turi Bangash Supreme Council (TBSC) here on Wednesday demanded of the government to take practical measures for the safe recovery of nine abducted tribesmen of Kurram Agency. The General Secretary of the TBSC Haji Mardan Ali in a statement here said that due to closure of Thall-Parachinar road the tribesmen of Kurram Agency were using Afghanistan route for traveling from Peshawar to Parachinar. However, killing and kidnapping of the tribesmen have become routine exercise. He said that several residents of Turi tribe were in the custody of kidnappers and they were demanding million of rupees as ransom amount. He hailed the role of political administration to ensure safe recovery of four persons of Turi tribes and two kidnappers were killed in exchange of firing with Khasadar force. Haji Mardan Ali thanked the Political Agent (PA) Khyber Agency Tariq Hayat for taking timely action in recovery of the persons and appreciated the bravery of Khasadar personnel. He demanded of the Federal Government, NWFP Governor and PA Khyber Agency to take measures for the safe recovery of Turi tribesmen kidnapped in Khyber Agency and take action against the militants.

the frontier post
Thursday, October 16, 2008,
Shawal 16, 1429 A.H.

Jirga for deployment of troops at mountaintops in Kurram F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: 

The grand jirga of tribesmen mulling over to restore peace in the restive Kurram Agency Monday asked political administration of the Agency send contingents of the Frontier Corps (FC) to the hideouts of the rival groups to implement the ceasefire agreement earlier signed by elders of the two groups. Jirga member requested not to be named told The Frontier Post that the political administration seemed less authoritative to deploy forces at the mountaintops where the rival groups have taken positions against each other. He reviled that the jirga members asked the Political Agent Kurram to explain its position whether he has the authority to deploy the forces in case the rival groups left the hideouts vacant. The member said that Hungu jirga that had constituted earlier to broker a ceasefire agreement when requested to the political administration to send troops to the hideouts and take action against those who did not abide by the accord signed by them but the administration expressed his helplessness against the FC colonel who was also not ready to send the troops to restore peace in the area. This time, the member said the jirga members are committed to bring permanent peace in the troubled areas and expressed wish meet Prime Minister, NWFP Governor, Advisor on Interior and other high authorities in order to bring durable peace. Khursheed Anwar Jawadi, a member of the 'mediation committee' told this scribe that both the tribes have agreed on a ceasefire agreement and the political administration has also decided to send the troops to the mountaintops of the rival groups. He said that the jirga members of the two rival tribes have shown complete confidence over the mediation committee. He said the jirga members apprised the committee about their concerns that needs early actions to be acted upon including implementation of the ceasefire accord, deployment of troops in the warring areas, exchange of kidnappers, opening of Thall-Parachinar and protection to the lives and properties to the travelers and rehabilitation of the displaced families. He was confident that after these concerns were addressed, a permanent peace could be implemented in the restive Kurram Agency. A jirga member, Malik Sardar Hussain, who is representing Turi tribe expressed dissatisfaction over the implementation of the ceasefire agreement saying that until and unless the warring groups were not called back and troops were not deployed, it seems no success of the jirga. He said that they have told the committee that they are agree to resolve the land related disputes with the rival group as per Gazetteer of the Kurram Agency.

The Frontier Post

Tuesday, 

October 14, 2008, 

Shawal 14, 1429 A.H.

Seven Taliban, one tribesman killed in Kurram clashes

Seven Taliban, one tribesman killed in Kurram clashes

MINGORA/PARACHINAR: At least 21 Taliban were killed in airstrikes on their hideouts in Ghat Peochar and Landai Sarshur areas in the restive Swat district, a military spokesman said on Thursday.

“Twenty-one Taliban were killed in bombing by jet aircraft on Ghat Peochar,” Col Nadeem told Daily Times. 

He added that several suspected Taliban hideouts were also destroyed in the strikes. However, Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan denied the military’s claims.

He said the jets fired around 20 bombs, with one of them hitting a primary school. Khan said that three bombs hit several houses, but no loss of life was reported.

Meanwhile, six members of a family were killed in Darmai area of Matta tehsil as a shell fired by security forces accidentally hit the house of a local, identified as Wazirzada.

The dead include two women, three children and a male member of the family.

Kurram clashes: At least eight persons were killed when local tribesmen and security forces clashed with the Taliban in Kurram Agency on Thursday.

According to the political administration, the dead include seven Taliban and a local tribesman. The clashes began when the Taliban attacked Ali Zai village in Lower Kurram Agency.

Security forces and a lashkar of the Toori tribe retaliated, killing six Taliban. A tribesman was also killed in the clash.

Earlier, the Taliban attacked Pewar village late on Wednesday night, however, security forces and a local lashkar killed one of the attackers in the clash.

Meanwhile, telecommunication services have been resumed in the area after a month-long suspension. The services were disrupted after unidentified men blew up a telephone exchange in Sadda a month ago. 

staff report/app

Daily Times.

www.dailytimes.com.pk

Friday, October 10, 2008

Eight persons including seven militant killed in Kurram Agency

PARACHINAR, Oct 9 (APP): At least eight persons including seven militants were killed in clashes between local tribesmen and militants in Kurram Agency on Thursday. According to political administration, seven persons including one local tribesman were killed when Taliban miscreants attacked Ali Zai village in Lower Kurram. However, security forces and national lashkar of Turi tribe repulsed the attack and killed six militants while one local tribesman also killed in the clashes. Meanwhile, some unknown militants attacked Pewar village on Wednesday night. However, security forces and local lashkar in retaliation fired on the position of attackers. As a result one militant was killed while others escaped from the scene. PTCL services have been restored after one-month suspension. Some unknown miscreants had detonated Sadda telephone exchange and as a result the PTCL’s service was suspended and communication system was badly damaged. Meanwhile, local tribesmen were facing extreme hardships due to continuous blockade of Thall-Parachinar road.

 Associated Press of Pakistan (APP)

Oct 9, 2008

Hidden Truth about Parachinar!

Hidden Truth about Parachinar!

Sarwan Ali-an honest man, is a retired Lance Naik from the village Malana in the outskirt of Parachinar and has been living with his wife in a single room. Not any more. Now, he is fighting for his life in Agency HQ Hospital, Parachinar, from a gunshot wound. Wounds inflicted from bombs, snipers, splinters and guns have become part of daily life in Kurrum agency mostly linked to sectarian strife. But his wound is different. He was not shot by the opposing group for his affiliation to any sect. His is a self inflicted wound. Reason? Before the sectarian conflict, he would go to Parachinar and work on ‘Dhiari’ (daily wages) to earn enough to sustain himself and his wife. After the escalation in war, situation has changed dramatically. In a short span, the death toll has reached hundreds and the injured thousands. The prices of daily commodities have rocketed sky-high as the only road linking Parachinar with mainland Pakistan remains closed. This has paralysed the life in Parachinar, closing the markets and stopping the construction work.

As a consequence, the poor are suffering the most. The days of ‘Dhiari’ are over and they, like Sarwan Ali, are jobless and with no income. Many mornings, he went to the town expecting to earn a few rupees and every evening he came back empty handed with shattered hopes. Many nights he and his wife went to bed without proper food with bellyful of boiled leaves from the nearby ShahTut tree. He was too proud to beg and too honest to steel. He sold all their possessions, except for his rifle. In the Pukhtun culture, rifle is considered to be a man’s honour; he couldn’t sell his honour. He returned home one evening feeling low and disheartened after another fruitless day and found his grief stricken wife shivering like a leaf. He knew it was Malaria as he saw her in that state before. But still, he put his trembling hand on her forehead; she was burning hot. He also knew she needed medicine to bring the temperature down and to treat the Malaria but this time, unlike the previous time; he didn’t have money to buy the needed medicine. The feeling of desperation hit him hard and the sense of worthlessness stabbed him deep. He couldn’t bear to see the pain on her pale face. He knew she was not only sick but also weak from lack of food. Filled with despondency, he moved to one corner, picked up his gun, loaded it and turned around to face her. Tears were rolling down her face. She knew what he was about to do. “You’re an honourable man Sarwan Ali. Do what you have to do.” She closed her eyes waiting for the end. He pointed the gun at her but could not bring himself to shoot her. He started crying like a child and for a long time, the two caring souls broke the silence with their agonising sobs. Then slowly, he eased the pressure on the trigger and started walking towards the door. He decided to sell his honour, his gun, in Parachinar to buy medicine for his dear wife. He went to a chemist shop and offered to sell his gun and get medicine out of the price. He was told that there was no medicine because none was coming through the blocked roads from Peshawar. Sarwan pleaded with him and told him about his wife’s condition. The man felt sorry for him and handed him over two Paracetamols. Back in the room, he gave the tablets to his wife and after a while she stopped shivering and went to sleep. He watched her sleep for a long time, then got up slowly, performed Wazu as if he was preparing for prayer; picked up his gun and without a second thought shot himself. The bullet passed through his chest. This is the life in the war-torn Parachinar, where death is as cheap as sipping water from a stream; a town, which was known for pleasant weather and natural beauty.

A town, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto fell in love with and wanted to turn it into a settlement like Switzerland. That was the time when Shah of Iran had friendly relation with Saudi King. That was the time when Sunni-Shia misunderstandings did not change into hate. That was the time when skirmishes between Sunni and Shais remained local and were settled amicably by the administration. That was the time when Afghanistan was not taken over by Taliban. And that was the time when general Zia was still serving as army chief under ZAB. Things changed when Shah was deposed in Iran, when Zia took over in Pakistan, when Afghanistan was invaded by the Soviets, when America supported fanatic Sunni Arabs against Soviets, and when it helped Sunni Pukhtuns against Iran. Things changed radically. What people didn’t realise was that America was using Muslim religious sentiments for its own gains. It poured money into the pockets of Afghan Warlords with the help of general Zia and turned American war into ‘Charlie Wilson’s War’ with tremendous consequences to Pakistan. It took advantage of Zia’s sectarian leanings and put Pakistan on the road to political and religious vulnerability. It was then, when Parachinar was caught in the middle of sectarian strife. Iranian clergy started supporting the Shias in Parachinar through prominent local Syeds, and the Saudi Wahabis pumped money to the local Sunni Mullahs. Sunnis fought Afghan war to please Saudis and Shias safeguarded Iranian interests. Soviets were defeated in Afghanistan; American won the ‘Charlie Wilson’s War’ and left the spoils in the hands of fanatics. The spill over was bound to effect Parachinar. And it did in a big way. The beautiful town has never since returned to its previous grace. The time rolled on.

The strong corporations in America required an enemy to replace the dismembered Soviets. They found one in the garb of ‘terrorism’ creeping out of Afghanistan. It was moulded in the same outfit as their Jihadi friends in the not so distant past. Now, they needed the change of guards in Afghanistan to target it. They got lucky; the history favoured them twice; once when Musharaf sacked a democratic government in Pakistan; again, when the Towers were brought down by the terrorists. The White House didn’t need much persuasion to seek help from ‘moderate’ Musharaf who made a U-turn in Afghan policy. With change of policy the enemies changed. Now, the Americans were not fighting the communists; they were fighting the terrorists who happened to be Muslims; and Musharaf was not fighting the infidels, he was fighting the same Muslims. In this way, the moderate Musharaf surpassed those barriers which even zealous Zia dared to tread, exposing Pakistan to massive internal turmoil. Today, Parachinar is burning in a fire lit by fanatic Zia and spread by moderate Musharaf; a fire which is different from the one seen in rest of the tribal area. It is not linked to sentiments against Pakistan army or even America. It is based on emotions against Taliban.

Majority in upper Kurrum are Shia and they despise Taliban. Taliban in return, reciprocate their sentiments by sending decapitated bodies of Shias captured during their journeys to Peshawar. The Internet is full of grotesque footages. The Shia-dominated upper Kurrum is sealed by the surrounding Sunni-belt having a strong influence of Taliban. In the middle of it, Parachinar is in virtual siege with no food items, no daily commodities and no medicines. In desperation, the Shias are turning to Afghan government for help after seeing apparent apathy from Pakistan. This is a bizarre situation, the like of which was once historically seen in early 20th century, when a Shia Turi tribal Chief, Noor Khan (alias Dur Khan) sought British help when he found Shias under siege in identical circumstance. Today they are asking Afghan government to help them against the Taliban. In the middle of this bizarre turn around, the poor people of Parachinar from both sects are slaughtered like animals in sectarian hate and others like Sarwan Ali are killing themselves for reasons other than that hate. This is Parachinar burning in a fire not lit by the locals but by those whose political and religious interests lay outside Pakistan.

Written by 

Dr Ghayur Ayub