Warring tribes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, have agreed to a week-long ceasefire following intense clashes that have resulted in at least 64 deaths and over 70 injuries.
The truce was brokered by an official delegation led by Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, information adviser to the province’s chief minister.
"We engaged both groups in Parachinar and Sadda, convincing them to agree to a seven-day ceasefire," Saif said.
"Hostages will be released, and the bodies of the deceased will also be recovered," he added.
The violence, which erupted following the killing of 40 people in an attack on a bus carrying members of the Shia minority community, escalated quickly, leading to deadly ethnic clashes between the two groups.
Over 70 people have died in the fighting, including 21 who were killed in a retaliatory attack on Bagan Bazaar in Lower Kurram on Friday night.
The ceasefire agreement offers a temporary respite, with hopes for the immediate release of hostages. However, despite the commitment to peace, tensions remain high in the region.
Provincial officials are working to ease the situation, though the volatile nature of the conflict has left many uncertain about the long-term stability of the region.
Meanwhile, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari condemned the provincial government's handling of the crisis, calling the law and order situation in Kurram "deteriorating."
Bhutto-Zardari expressed deep sympathy for the victims and emphasised the need for urgent intervention.
"My heart is bleeding for the victims," he said.
"We cannot stand to see Khyber Pakhtunkhwa burn in the flames of lawlessness," Zardari added.
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