KP Chief Secretary Meets Parachinar Elders, Vows Swift Action on Peace and Development Following Kohat Agreement
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah, accompanied by a high-level delegation including the Inspector General of Police (IG KP), Commissioner Kohat, General Officer Commanding (GOC) Nine Division, and Regional Police Officer (RPO) Kohat, visited Parachinar today to engage with tribal elders in a significant jirga held at Governor Cottage.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Secretary Shah assured the tribal leaders of the provincial government’s commitment to establishing lasting peace and initiating swift development projects in the region. He expressed his satisfaction at witnessing Kurram District’s return towards normalcy following the Kohat peace agreement. He lauded the cooperation of both parties in the ongoing efforts for peace, citing the demolition of bunkers and the surrender of weapons by the Turi and Bangash tribes as a testament to their sincerity.
Tribal elders, represented by Secretary Anjuman-e-Hussainia Haji Zamin Hussain and Member of National Assembly (MNA) Hamid Hussain, warmly welcomed the Chief Secretary and the accompanying officials. They expressed hope that this high-level visit would indeed pave the way for peace in Kurram. The elders reiterated that the Turi and Bangash tribes have historically remained loyal to Pakistan and hold no allegiance to any other nation. They emphasized their adherence to the Kohat peace agreement, highlighting the dismantling of their defenses and the handover of arms. They urged the government to prioritize the construction of safe roads, acknowledging the hardships faced by the local population, and called for the reactivation of the Parachinar Airport.
Chief Secretary Shah, in his address, appealed to the tribal elders to actively identify and expel any disruptive elements within their communities to ensure the sustainability of peace. He firmly stated that the government is resolute in its commitment to the peace process and will not permit any obstruction. He further issued a strong warning against the dissemination of hateful content on social media, declaring that individuals involved in such activities would be considered terrorists and dealt with under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
On the development front, the Chief Secretary announced that comprehensive plans for various projects have been finalized. He assured the jirga that work on the construction of the Tall-Parachinar road, the upgradation of the Mali Khel-to-Kharlachi road hospital, and the revival of the Kharlachi railway track would commence soon, ushering in an era of progress and prosperity for the region.
Earlier in the proceedings, Master Aman Ali presented a formal welcome address. In a gesture of traditional hospitality, former minister Sajid Turi and MNA Hamid Hussain presented the Chief Secretary with the customary kolah langi, while Syed Sajjad Syed Mian offered gifts to the visiting dignitaries. The visit concluded on a positive note, with a renewed sense of collaboration between the government and tribal elders towards achieving lasting peace and development in Kurram District.
