KURRAM: The people of Kurram called off a protest march after successful negotiations with the district administration and security forces here on Friday.

A 50-member jirga represented the Kurram people in the talks with the administrative and security officials.

According to sources, the tribesmen had started a massive march from Parachinar on Thursday to protest the prolonged closure of roads linking the district with other areas.

After covering a distance of 25 kilometres, the march turned into a sit-in in Sameer area, and the protesters announced they would march to Peshawar and Islamabad.

During the talks, it was decided that in the first phase, vehicles would be allowed on the main highway through convoys, and traffic would be allowed to ply on other roads after making them ‘safe’ for travel.

It was also decided during the talks that additional checkposts would be established and CCTV cameras would be installed on the main highway.

Kurram deputy commissioner Javedullah Mehsud said that after the firing incident on passenger vehicles of Muqbal tribes on October 12, the main highway was closed for traffic due to security concerns.

Published in Dawn, November 9th, 2024