Tribal Leaders in Bajaur and Kunar Reach a Community Peace Deal

By Dawood Jabarkhail

PESHAWAR / KUNAR — After months of tension along the Durand Line, tribal elders from Pakistan’s Bajaur district and Afghanistan’s Kunar province have come together to sign a local peace agreement aimed at restoring calm for their communities. 

The meeting took place on May 4th in the Nawapass area of Bajaur, where elders gathered to stop the fighting and reopen the small but vital trade routes that families rely on for their daily income.

Recent clashes had closed crossing points and disrupted movement, making life difficult for shopkeepers, farmers and travelers on both sides. With official talks going nowhere, community elders stepped forward to resolve the situation themselves, relying on traditional dialogue and mutual trust.

The jirga was led by Haji Lal Shah Pashtunyar from Bajaur and Haji Zahir Gul from Kunar. Their cooperation reflects a simple reality: people living along the border share culture, trade and family ties, and they depend on each other far more than on distant political decisions.

What the elders agreed on

• Stop the fighting: Both sides committed to ending hostilities so families can feel safe again.
• Reopen local trade routes: Restoring the movement of goods and people is essential for daily life and small businesses.
• Keep talking: Elders will meet every three months to sort out any problems through discussion instead of confrontation.

For many Afghans and Pakistanis on both sides of the Durand Line—and for diaspora communities watching from afar—this agreement offers a small but meaningful sense of relief. When these routes are open, farmers can sell their products, traders can move goods, and families can visit each other without fear.

At the end of the jirga, the Afghan delegation presented a Peace Award to Haji Lal Shah Pashtunyar as a gesture of appreciation for helping bring both sides together. It was a simple moment, but one that captured the spirit of the gathering: neighbors choosing cooperation over conflict.

This grassroots peace effort shows that even in difficult times, local leadership and traditional community dialogue remain powerful tools for keeping everyday life stable and peaceful.

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