PESHAWAR, Pakistan — In response to escalating violence among local tribes in the northwest region of Pakistan, officials have announced the requirement for the disarmament of these groups following a series of violent encounters. This announcement was made on Friday as authorities detailed the chaos in the Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where at least 130 individuals have lost their lives in the last few weeks alone.

The unrest began on November 21, when armed assailants ambushed a convoy, resulting in the deaths of 52 people, predominantly members of the Shiite Muslim community. The ambush sparked a cycle of retaliatory violence, with opposing factions engaging in gunfire and arson across several localities, affecting the region’s stability and security.

To curb the violence, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa officials mandated that tribal leaders surrender their weapons and enter into a government-facilitated agreement to promote compliance. “A 15-day period has been established for the voluntary collection of firearms. All weapons must be submitted to the authorities by February,” announced Mohammed Ali Saif, a spokesperson for the provincial government.

In addition to disarmament, officials have instructed the dismantling of makeshift bunkers and the provisional reopening of key roads to assist with humanitarian efforts. Convoys transporting essential goods will be escorted by security personnel, supplemented by helicopters, to ensure safe transit during this tense period.

“Both factions are to refrain from violent actions to maintain the accessibility of ground routes; otherwise, the administration may have no choice but to restrict access once again,” Saif added.

However, a collective of Shiite leaders voiced their concerns regarding the disarmament directive, arguing that it may endanger the community further. They held a press conference in Parachinar, expressing dismay at the government’s approach. “This strategy may lead to greater danger for our community. Without our means of defense, we are vulnerable to attacks by terrorists who could threaten our lives,” the scholars stated.

In the Kurram district, Shiites, while constituting a minority in Pakistan overall, are integral to the local demographics and have historically faced sectarian violence from militant factions. Despite the tensions, many Shiite and Sunni Muslims cohabitate peacefully within the region. This ongoing conflict underscores the fragile nature of communal relations in an area long impacted by ideological divisions.