PESHAWAR, Pakistan — In a significant development, Shiite and Sunni Muslim factions in Pakistan’s northwestern region have reached an agreement for a cease-fire, as announced by a government representative on Sunday. This resolution comes shortly after a tragic ambush last Thursday resulted in the deaths of 42 Shiite individuals, leading to violent retaliatory incidents that claimed numerous lives from both communities.

The spokesperson for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial government, Muhammad Ali Saif, indicated that a government delegation facilitated discussions with elders from both the Sunni and Shiite communities, culminating in a mutual agreement for a seven-day truce.

In addition to the cease-fire, the parties involved have agreed to exchange prisoners, which notably includes women, and facilitate the return of the deceased’s bodies to their respective families. Saif emphasized the importance of this agreement in restoring peace in the region.

In Pakistan, which has a Sunni majority, Shiite Muslims account for approximately 15% of the country’s 240 million populace. While members of both factions typically coexist harmoniously, lingering tensions persist, especially in the Kurram district.

Historically, Kurram has been a hotspot for sectarian strife, characterized by violent attacks on the Shiite minority by militant organizations. The motive behind the recent spate of violence, however, has been linked to a dispute over land rather than solely sectarian reasons.

As of now, no group has taken responsibility for the ambush on the convoy that occurred last week, leaving the community and authorities seeking clarity and justice in the aftermath of this violence.