By 
25-11-2024
Hailey Archer
Pakistan Researcher,
Global Human Rights Defence.
The sectarian violence in the Northwestern province of Pakistan, bordering Afghanistan, has been ongoing for decades, mainly over a land dispute in Kurram (Al Jazeera, 2024). On November 21st, the violence between the two sectarian groups, Shia Muslims and Sunni Muslims escalated (Al Jazeera, 2024). There was an attack on civilian convoys, consisting of mainly Shia Muslims, with 40 people killed (Al Jazeera, 2024). This attack was an aggravating factor in the violence between Shia and Sunni Muslims in the region and tensions and conflicts worsened in the days after this attack (The Guardian, 2024). Many families have fled and relocated to other parts of Pakistan, to get away from the violence and find safety (The Guardian, 2024).
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government spokesperson, Muhammad Ali Saif, stated that both groups had reached an agreement for a seven-day ceasefire (Al Jazeera, 2024). The clashing tribes had also agreed to exchange prisoners and return their deceased to each other (Hussain, 2024). One of the intended outcomes of this announcement was to stop the more minor incidents in more rural areas of Kurram (Al Jazeera, 2024). However, a village councillor said that the tribal fighting continued after the groups had reached this agreement (Hussain, 2024).
Sources and further readings:
Astier, H. (2024, November 24). Dozens killed in Pakistan sectarian violence. BBC News. Accessed 25 November 2024. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx27kz9kk1do
Hundreds flee deadly sectarian violence in north-west Pakistan. (2024, November 23). The Guardian. Accessed 25 November 2024. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/23/hundreds-flee-deadly-sectarian-violence-in-north-west-pakistan
Hussain, J. (2024, November 25). Death toll in Kurram rises to 88 amid tribal tensions: health official. Dawn. Accessed November 25 2024. https://www.dawn.com/news/1874716 Rival sectarian groups agree to seven-day ceasefire in Pakistan. (2024, November 24). Al Jazeera. Accessed 25 November 2024. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/11/24/rival-sectarian-groups-agree-to-seven-day-ceasefire-in-pakistan
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