KOHAT, June 29 A combined jirga of Shia and Sunni elders has agreed to ensure the safety of passengers on Kohat-Hangu highway and identify sinister elements among both the sects, who are causing unrest in the region.

Elders of both the sects said that sectarian tension in Dera Ismail Khan, Kurram Agency and Orakzai Agency even in Baghdad directly affected the people in the region emotionally where armed to teeth tribes became infuriated and started settling scores.

“So there is an immediate and dire need to spread awareness among the people that they should not react in this way which fulfils the objectives of the enemies of the country who portray it as a weak and failed state in the international community,” they said during the jirga, held at Kohat Police Club on Monday.

District Coordination Officer Siraj Ahmed, District Police Officer Dilawar Hussain Bangash and other police officials were also present on the occasion. The two sects were represented by Maulana Reham Din, Risaldar Aslam, Saleem Afridi and Mian Shah Raza, who vowed to work for peace with sincerity by keeping aside their personal interests.

They said that there was no serious issue between the Shia and Sunni communities living in the region. They blamed foreign hand for fanning differences and clashes in the region from Kohat up to Parachinar to destabilise the state.

Mr Siraj told the jirga said that law and order situation in Kohat was relatively better as compared to other parts of the province because of the regular meetings between both the communities for removal of misunderstandings.

He said that elders from both the sides should suggest ways and means to find a permanent solution to the sectarian violence.

The elders assured the administration of their complete cooperation in stopping kidnappings and killings on Kohat-Hangu highway and maintaining peace with mutual efforts.