September 28, 2008	Sunday	Ramazan 27, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Sept 27: A peace jirga of tribal elders representing the warring groups of Kurram Agency agreed on Saturday to observe a temporary ceasefire till December 31 and said it would extend cooperation to the government in its efforts for restoring peace in the violence-hit area.

The elders who met for the fourth consecutive day at a local hotel, also decided to meet again on October 6 for a ‘grand jirga’ to help resolve unsettled matters and ensure durable peace.

The 100-member jirga comprised 50 members each from 12 tribes of both sects.

Elected representatives of the agency, MNAs Munir Khan Orakzai and Sajid Hussian Turi, Senator Rasheed Khan and former senator Sajjad Syed and other notables were also present on the occasion.

The jirga was held under the supervision of Kurram Political Agent Azam Khan and Lower Kurram Assistant Political Agent Ayyaz Khan Mandokhel.

The four-point ‘peace agreement’ signed by both sides was announced by Political Agent Azam Khan at a media briefing.

The agreement that came into effect on Saturday says: (1) the ceasefire in Kurram Agency will continue till December 31 and if any incident of fire happens in any area during this period, the tribes of that region will themselves hand over the persons involved to the local administration.

The tribe concerned will fully cooperate with the government and the administration will take stern action against the violators of the peace agreement.

(2) A grand jirga, to be nominated later for which the jirga members authorised the political agent, would be called on October 6 to resolve the controversial issues between Shia and Sunni tribes in presence of the political agent.

(3) Both Shia and Sunni tribes would exchange the bodies and those kidnapped during the period of the conflict.

(4) Both the tribes would try to supply edibles, medicines and other items of daily use to the affected areas so as to resolve problems being faced by people, particularly women and children, and pave way for holding another jirga in a pleasant atmosphere.

The political agent expressed the hope that peace would be restored in the agency, saying this time both the rival groups had agreed unanimously to cooperate with the government to bring normalcy to the area.

“I will suggest to the government to conduct an intelligence operation to stop foreign intervention in Kurram Agency and expel the foreign elements,” he said.