Majlis Wahdat Muslimeen (MWM) chairman Allama Raja Nasir Abbas has linked his call for protest sit-ins in Karachi to the opening of roads to the troubled Karam district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
His comments came shortly after the signing of a 14-point peace agreement between the two warring tribes in Karam aimed at bringing peace to the district.
Contrary to expectations, MWM’s latest move has raised many eyebrows in the country’s economic hub, Karachi, where the party’s sit-ins disrupted life and business for the ninth consecutive day today.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Senator Abbas criticized the provincial government led by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, with whom the MWM is still allied, saying: “The closure of the roads to Parachinar is a failure of the provincial government. is.”
He blamed the KPK Chief Minister for blocking the roads leading to the violence-hit district. KP government did not cooperate. [with us] Until now, “he admitted.
Expressing his satisfaction over the peace agreement brokered by the Jirga, the senator said that the tribal elders have fulfilled their responsibility. He hoped that the peace accord would be implemented in its true spirit.
The MWM chief said that his sit-ins were not against any party.
In November last year, at least 42 people were killed as a result of unknown assailants firing on passenger vehicles in Uacht area of Kurram district.
Meanwhile, the politico-religious party announced that a convoy of trucks loaded with food items would leave for Karam tomorrow, adding that they would end their protest if the convoy reached its destination.
The traffic police spokesperson said that currently MWM is staging dharna at four different places in the city, Nizam Chowrangi, Abul Hasan Isfahani Road, Water Pump and Kamran Chowrangi.
Giving further details, the spokesman said that the road from Kamran Chowrangi to Masmiat (Met Office) has been closed for traffic.
Meanwhile, various sections of roads including Exhibition Chowrangi-Guru Mandir and Incholi Society-Water Pump were also blocked due to sit-ins, the traffic police added.
On the other hand, Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) is holding protests in Shershah, Orangi Town and Masmiat.
The warring tribes agreed to surrender
Earlier, speaking to Geo News, Swab Khan – who is part of the Grand Jirga – said that 45 people from each warring side had signed the 14-point peace agreement.
“Both sides have agreed to hand over their weapons to the government,” he said, adding that if either side fails to do so, the government is warned of action. Additionally, he said, the agreement stipulated that all bunkers would be dismantled.
The Jirga member added that a committee would be formed within 15 days to start implementing the agreement, hoping that the situation in Karam would return to normal within a month.
In response to a question, Khan said that the decision to open the roads will be taken by the government. “Members of Anjuman Hussainiya Association and members belonging to Anjuman Farooquia agreed to the agreement.”
A Grand Aman Jirga was convened at Fort Kohat to mediate talks between the warring tribes of the violence-hit district. The peace talks, held under the supervision of GOC 9 Division Major General Zulfiqar Bhatti, were aimed at bringing lasting peace between the warring tribes whose clashes have left over 130 people dead since November.
Despite several cease-fires declared over the past year, the issue has not been resolved, with tribal leaders continuing efforts to negotiate a permanent peace agreement.
Adviser to Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Information Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif had announced last week that a general consensus had been reached between the rival tribes during the Karam Aman Jirga.
In today’s statement, Barrister Saif echoed Swab Khan’s remarks, saying that both sides have agreed to lay down their weapons and demolish their bunkers. “The peace agreement will usher in an era of peace and prosperity in Karam,” he added.
Raza Hussain, another member of the Jirga, said that plans are being made to open the roads and establish peace. “We will work closely with the Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) to ensure law and order,” he said, adding that the ceasefire would be implemented immediately as per the agreement.