Sectarian violence leaves more than 80 dead, government attempts reconciliation with 7-day ceasefire

A group of Pakistani government officials has brokered a seven-day ceasefire between rival sectarian groups in the northwest, ending days of clashes that left more than 230 people dead or injured.

The bodies of victims killed in clashes in Kurram district of Parachinar, November 22, are being moved. (Source: AFP)

On November 24, AFP news agency quoted Muhammad Ali Saif, head of the Information Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, as saying that a Pakistani government delegation had flown to Parachinar town of Kurram district the day before to meet with leaders of the Shiite and Sunni Muslim communities there.

Mr. Ali Saif announced that the contacts with both sides had achieved positive results, according to which, the leaders of both the Shi'ite and Sunni Muslim communities agreed to stop attacks for 7 days. During that time, the two sides will exchange prisoners and return bodies to each other.

Clashes between sectarian groups broke out after gunmen attacked vehicles carrying Shiite Muslims in northwestern Pakistan on November 21, killing at least 40 people, including women and children.

On the evening of November 22, in retaliation, Shiite Muslims attacked several Sunni sites in Kurram district. Several fierce clashes between armed groups from both sides also occurred. A local official said that at least 82 people were killed and 156 injured after three days of clashes.

Clashes in recent days have also forced the evacuation of around 300 families on November 23 alone. Mobile networks across Kurram district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where violence has broken out, remain down and traffic on the main highway has been halted.

Pakistan is a predominantly Sunni Muslim country, but Kurram, near the border with Afghanistan, has a large Shi'ite population. Tensions have existed for decades between the two militant communities over land disputes in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/pakistan-bao-luc-giao-phai-khien-hon-80-nguoi-thiet-mang-chinh-phu-no-luc-hoa-giai-voi-lenh-ngung-ban-7-ngay-295010.html