By Mushtaq Ali
Authorities officers met with tribal leaders in northwestern Pakistan on Sunday to attempt to mediate a ceasefire between rival sectarian teams after days of clashes which have killed no less than 68 folks and injured dozens.
The clashes began after gunmen attacked convoys of civilian autos on Thursday, killing no less than 40, largely Shi’ite Muslims. That sparked retaliatory assaults towards Sunni residents and there have been pitched battles between armed teams from each side.
Armed Shi’ite and Sunni Muslims have engaged in tribal and sectarian rivalry for many years over a land dispute in Kurram district close to the Afghanistan border.
A authorities delegation flew in to Parachinar – Kurram’s important metropolis – on Saturday to fulfill leaders of each side, mentioned Muhammad Ali Saif, info minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province the place Kurram is positioned.
The delegation met with Shi’ite leaders and stayed in a single day to fulfill with Sunni leaders on Sunday to attempt to dealer a ceasefire deal after which transfer to resolve the matter, he mentioned in an announcement.
“There have been constructive developments in engagements with stakeholders,” he mentioned.
Two authorities sources, who requested to stay nameless as a result of sensitivity of the matter, mentioned the demise toll from retaliatory violence since Thursday’s bus assaults had risen to no less than 28.
They feared the toll would rise as communications within the space are down and recent info on casualties is troublesome to come back by. They mentioned the helicopter carrying the federal government delegation was additionally shot at, however managed to land safely on Saturday.
Armed teams have attacked settlements which might be populated by members of rival sects. Many properties have been evacuated, whereas markets and faculties stay closed. Quite a lot of petrol stations have been set alight, the officers mentioned.
This text was produced by Reuters information company. It has not been edited by World South World.
