Kurram Violence: Tribal Strife and Governance Failures

On November 21, 2024, Kurram Agency witnessed a tragic escalation of violence as gunmen attacked Shia pilgrim convoys in northwestern Pakistan, killing at least 42 people, including women and children. The convoy, consisting of around 2 to 3 vehicles, was en route from Parachinar to Peshawar when it came under heavy fire. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has condemned the attack as “sheer brutality” against innocent citizens.

The Roots of Kurram Violence: Tribal Disputes and Power Struggles

Kurram, a mountainous district in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa bordering Afghanistan, is home to around 700,000 people, with over 42% belonging to the Shia community. The major tribes include Shia Turi and Bangash, while Sunni tribes such as Zaimusht, Mangal, Muqbal, Masuzai, and Parachamkani also reside here. The Turi tribe controls most of the cultivable land, while the Bangash and Zaimusht have specific entitlements. Land ownership is restricted to local tribes, creating a rigid system of territorial control.

The district is divided into Upper, Lower, and Central Kurram. Upper Kurram, with Parachinar as its centre and an 83% Shia majority, is strategically important due to its location and natural defences. Lower Kurram has a mixed Shia-Sunni population and borders Afghanistan, making it more vulnerable to cross-border influences. Central Kurram, the largest but least developed region, faces challenges due to its harsh terrain and historical neglect.

Sectarian violence in Kurram is deeply rooted in tribal rivalries. The Shia Turi tribe, dominant since the 18th century, clashed with Sunni Bangash and Zaimusht tribes over grazing and agricultural lands. These tensions intensified as smaller tribes like the Mangals and Muqbals gained wealth through timber and trade, encroaching on Turi territory. What began as tribal disputes evolved into sectarian conflicts, especially during the Cold War. During the Cold War, Pakistan’s alliance with the US to support Afghan Mujahideen destabilised the region, with Zia-ul-Haq using Afghan refugees to undermine Shia Turi’s influence. Over the past two decades, Sunni militant-backed tribes have clashed with Shia communities, displacing thousands.

Going further back in history, the British colonial policies of divide and rule deepened ethnic and sectarian divides, especially in the volatile tribal belt. The 1893 Durand Line agreement, signed between British India’s Henry Mortimer Durand and Afghan Monarch Ameer Abdur Rahman, defined the border but divided tribes and communities, fostering resentment and long-standing grievances. These policies, including empowering local elites through coercion and bribery, laid the groundwork for modern governance challenges.

Also See: Gunmen Kill 38 in Attack on Convoys in Kurram Tribal District

Current Conflict in Kurram: Land Disputes Turn Deadly

Current tensions in Boshehra village stem from a land dispute between the Shia-majority Maleekhel and Sunni-majority Madgi Kalay tribes. The conflict escalated when a lease agreement over a piece of agricultural land turned contentious. Originally owned by the Maleekhel tribe, the land had been leased to the Madgi Kalay tribe for farming. With the lease set to expire in July, the Maleekhel tribe requested the land’s return, but the Madgi Kalay tribe reportedly refused, sparking violent clashes.

The violence has been severe, with both sides employing heavy and automatic weaponry, resulting in an estimated 80 casualties. The ongoing conflict has also disrupted education in the region, with schools in Kurram District closing due to the heightened tensions. In a significant development, however, the warring tribes have agreed to a 7-day ceasefire and the release of hostages, offering a temporary respite from the violence. Despite this, the long-term peace and stability of the region will depend on addressing the underlying causes of the conflict and fostering mutual understanding and cooperation between the tribes.

How Far Are External Influences Fuel Violence in Kurram

External powers like Iran and Saudi Arabia often influence the ongoing tensions in Kurram by backing opposing sectarian groups. Iran supports the Shia Zainabiyoun Brigade, while Saudi Arabia funds Sunni militant factions. This foreign interference often made Kurram a hotspot for proxy conflicts, with militant activity exploiting the area’s instability.

Kurram’s instability is further compounded by its proximity to Afghanistan, allowing militant groups like the Taliban and ISIS to exploit the porous Afghan-Pakistan border. Militants exploit local grievances, while tribal leaders and warlords fill governance gaps, increasing factional competition over scarce resources. The absence of civil society further hampers conflict resolution. Such influences often give a sectarian turn to the otherwise land ownership dispute.

Saudi Investments in Pakistan: A Parallel Development

At the same time, economic ties between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are strengthening. On 19 Nov, 2024 Saudi Deputy Interior Minister Nasser bin Abdul Aziz Al Dawood met with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif in Islamabad. They signed MoUs regarding Saudi investment of $2.8 billion in Pakistan. Shehbaz Sharif also reiterated his invitation to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to undertake an official visit to Pakistan at his earliest convenience.

However, violent exchanges, such as those in Kurram, can impede economic progress and stability. For Pakistan to fully capitalize on its potential and foster long-term growth, it is essential to address the root causes of unrest in the tribal areas.

Government’s Distracted Response to Kurram Violence

The Pakistani government’s approach to the Kurram conflict has been inconsistent, focusing on reactive security operations without addressing root causes like sectarianism, political marginalization, and underdevelopment. The integration of FATA into KP promised stability, but the government has failed to deliver on key reforms, leaving the population disillusioned and fueling resentment that militant groups exploit. Economic disparities, particularly in access to water, fertile land, education, and employment, further exacerbate tensions.

In the wake of current conflict too, the government has chosen to focus its energies on political point-scoring, as evidenced by its exaggerated response to remarks made by former First Lady Bushra Bibi.

In a video address to PTI supporters, Bushra Bibi made remarks implying Saudi Arabia’s role in her husband Imran Khan’s ouster, referencing his barefoot pilgrimage to Madina. While her statement can be critiqued for its political naivety, the government’s reaction has been disproportionately intense. Both Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz have criticized her remarks for harming Pakistan’s longstanding relations with Saudi Arabia. Maryam Nawaz went further, claiming Bushra Bibi’s comments represented a broader conspiracy by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) government against the federal and Punjab governments, labelling them “dangerous and incomprehensible.”

This disproportionate focus on Bushra Bibi’s remarks stands in stark contrast to the government’s muted response to the crisis in Kurram. Residents of the region are trapped in a deadly cycle of violence fueled by local land disputes and the interference of armed groups with regional and international agendas. The TTP, emboldened by the government’s failure to confront it decisively, has transformed Kurram into a flashpoint. Meanwhile, the Zainabiyoun Brigade has exploited the situation to further its own objectives, entrenching itself in the region’s social fabric.

A Path to Peace: Addressing the Causes of Kurram Violence

Although a 7-day ceasefire has been agreed upon between the warring tribes, bringing temporary peace to the region, long-term stability relies on the pillars of accountability, mutual understanding, justice, and coexistence. The state must act decisively, bringing the perpetrators of the latest attack to justice and implementing concrete measures to secure Kurram and other vulnerable regions. The planned multiparty conference on KP’s law and order should be conducted earlier in the wake of the current situation.

Resolving the land disputes fueling the clashes in Kurram requires a fair and transparent approach, with all parties committing to accept the outcome. The prevalence of heavy weapons in the region exacerbates even minor disagreements, making a deweaponization campaign essential. Additionally, hate speech on social media must be curbed, with those spreading communal material held accountable. Local tribal leaders and ulema must take an active role in easing tensions and fostering unity. The 2008 Murree peace agreement between Kurram’s major tribes could serve as a framework for resolving the current conflict. Given Kurram’s strategic location near Afghanistan and the risk of sectarian clashes spreading to other areas, the state cannot afford delays in establishing peace. Proactive measures and swift action are critical to preventing further violence and instability.

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Kurram Violence: Tribal Strife and Governance Failures