Peace committees have been established in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kurram district in line with the jirga agreement to end violence in the region and have stability, sources said on Friday.

Committees comprise locals, tribal leaders, and political figures, including representatives from all sects and schools of thought.

Under the protection of such peace committees, they added that a convoy carrying food supplies and goods would depart from Tal for Parachinar on Saturday. Police would provide security for the convoy, and additional agencies would be on standby to assist the police in case of an emergency.

As many as 27 members from Lower Kurram, such as former MNA Pir Haider Ali Shah and Abi Faizullah, along with 48 members from Upper Kurram, including former Senator Sajad Hussain Turi and MPA Ali Hadi are part of the committees.

This comes as part of the agreement that took place on January 1, where local residents committed to surrendering weapons to the state within 15 days and completing the dismantling of local bunkers within one month.

On Wednesday, warring tribes in Kurram signed a peace agreement, agreeing to surrender their weapons to the provincial government and dismantle bunkers in the area.

The Kurram district, home to approximately 600,000 people, has been plagued by tribal and sectarian violence since November 21, when gunmen attacked a convoy of Shia passengers, resulting in the deaths of 52 individuals. This attack triggered further violence and road closures in the district and its capital, Parachinar, severely restricting access to essential supplies such as medicine, food, and fuel, with the death toll rising to 136.

A grand jirga, consisting of political and tribal elders formed by the provincial government earlier this month, has been working for weeks to mediate between the rival factions and facilitate a peace agreement.

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“Both sides have agreed on the demolition of bunkers and the handover of heavy weapons,” stated KP government spokesperson Muhammad Ali Saif. “We congratulate the people of Kurram on the signing of the peace agreement, which will usher in a new era of peace and prosperity in the region.”

Earlier on Friday, Saif announced plans to rid the region of weapons and bunkers regarding the decision made in the apex committee meeting within 15 days. Both parties involved in the agreement are required to submit a coordinated plan for the collection of weapons.