Recent sectarian violence in Pakistan's northwest has resulted in the deaths of at least 130 people and left 200 others wounded over the past 10 days. The violence erupted in Kurram district on November 21, with an ambush on a vehicle convoy that claimed the lives of 52 individuals, predominantly Shiite Muslims. The attack, which remains unclaimed, sparked retaliatory violence and arson by rival groups in various areas.
Despite government efforts to broker a seven-day ceasefire on November 24, the situation has not seen significant improvement. In the last 24 hours alone, 14 more individuals have lost their lives, and 27 have sustained injuries in the ongoing conflict.
Kurram district, where Shiite Muslims hold a dominant presence, has witnessed a series of violent incidents since July, stemming from a land dispute that escalated into broader sectarian clashes. While Shiites and Sunnis generally coexist peacefully in other parts of the country, tensions in Kurram have led to a cycle of violence and retaliation.
Authorities in Kurram are currently engaged in talks with tribal elders to negotiate a ceasefire, with security personnel deployed to maintain peace in the region. Internet and mobile services have been restored, but the closure of the main highway connecting Parachinar to Peshawar has resulted in shortages of essential supplies like food, fuel, and medicine. Trade activities at the Kharlachi border with Afghanistan have also come to a halt.
Mir Afzal Khan, a prominent elder in Kurram, highlighted the widespread impact of the violence on daily life, citing travel restrictions and severe shortages of basic necessities. The situation is further complicated by the presence of armed groups like the Pakistani Taliban in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where Kurram is located. The Pakistani army reported the deaths of eight militants in separate operations in the province on Sunday.
