Sectarian Strife and State Neglect
Haris Qadeer
The recent sectarian violence in Kurram District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, has once again highlighted the region’s volatile history. Between November 21 and 23, at least 82 people were killed, and over 156 were injured during clashes between Sunni and Shia communities. A ceasefire has now been declared, but the underlying issues remain unresolved.
According to official reports, 16 Sunni and 66 Shia individuals were killed during the unrest. The violence began with an attack on convoys traveling between Peshawar and Parachinar, which left 44 dead. This was followed by the torching of over 400 houses and shops in Lower Kurram, forcing more than 300 families to flee the area.
This latest outbreak of violence comes after a series of sectarian clashes earlier this year. In July, September, and October alone, dozens were killed, bringing the total death toll for 2023 to a tragic high.
Kurram: A Region of Strategic and Sectarian Turmoil
Kurram, a mountainous district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, shares borders with Afghanistan and has a population of approximately 700,000, with 42% belonging to the Shia community. Its proximity to Afghanistan makes it vulnerable to infiltration by extremist groups, which often target the Shia minority.
Sectarian conflict in Kurram has a long history, often rooted in disputes over land. During the British colonial era, tribal tensions over land ownership arose and have since evolved into deadly sectarian clashes. The Afghan war further exacerbated the divide, as state policies armed Sunni militant groups to fight Soviet forces, marginalizing the Shia minority and creating a deep sense of insecurity.
What begins as disputes over land frequently escalates into full-blown sectarian violence. In the past decade, Kurram has seen numerous attacks by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant groups targeting the Shia population.
The Latest Conflict
The current clashes stem from a land dispute between the Shia-majority Mali Khel tribe and the Sunni-majority Madagi Kalay tribe. The conflict revolves around a piece of agricultural land leased to the Sunni tribe by the Shia tribe. When the lease expired in July, the Sunni tribe refused to return the land, sparking a violent confrontation.
Despite the presence of military and paramilitary forces, authorities failed to prevent the violence from escalating. Local residents accuse state institutions of negligence, claiming that timely intervention could have averted the bloodshed.
In contrast to the tribal Jirga system that once resolved disputes quickly, the integration of Kurram into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has shifted these cases to courts and district administrations, which often delay justice. This systemic failure allows minor disputes to snowball into large-scale violence.
A History of Violence
Kurram has been the site of multiple violent episodes over the past seven decades. The most severe occurred between 2007 and 2011, when sectarian clashes resulted in the deaths of over 2,000 people and the displacement of thousands more. Entire villages were destroyed, and communities were left scarred by years of bloodshed.
Although Sunni and Shia communities in Kurram coexist peacefully in most areas, external militant groups from Afghanistan frequently launch attacks on the Shia population. These attacks, combined with local disputes, fuel sectarian tensions.
The Role of the State
The state’s failure to prevent and resolve these conflicts has drawn widespread criticism. In many cases, security forces have been accused of negligence or complicity. For example, during the latest violence, over 100 vehicles were sent through the area with minimal police protection, leaving them vulnerable to attack.
The provincial government has also been criticized for its inaction. While Kurram burned, provincial leaders remained focused on political disputes rather than addressing the escalating violence.
Moreover, the broader context of the Afghan war has turned Kurram into a hotspot for sectarian violence. The proliferation of Sunni militant groups, often supported by regional powers like Saudi Arabia, has deepened the divide. Meanwhile, Iran’s backing of Shia groups has added an international dimension to these local conflicts.
A Path to Peace
The ongoing violence in Kurram reflects a failure of governance and justice. As disputes over land turn into sectarian warfare, local residents are left to fend for themselves. When communities take up arms for self-defense, the cycle of violence intensifies.
The state must adopt a proactive approach to address the root causes of conflict in Kurram. This includes strengthening local governance, restoring the tribal Jirga system for dispute resolution, and ensuring the swift delivery of justice.
At the same time, there is an urgent need to curb the influence of external militant groups. Afghanistan’s proximity and its role as a sanctuary for anti-Shia groups must be addressed through diplomatic and security measures.
Lastly, the sectarian divide in Kurram cannot be resolved without addressing the broader geopolitical dynamics. The proxy conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran has fueled sectarianism in the region, and Pakistan must work to reduce its impact on domestic politics.
The bloodshed in Kurram is a stark reminder of the human cost of sectarian violence. As long as the state continues to neglect its responsibility to protect its citizens, communities will remain vulnerable to violence and displacement.
The path to peace lies in addressing the root causes of conflict, empowering local governance, and curbing external influences. Only then can the people of Kurram hope to break free from the cycle of violence and rebuild their lives.
