Nearly 1,000 feuds recorded in Khost, says official

KHOST CITY (Pajhwok): The Department of Borders and Tribal Affairs says nearly 950 personal feuds have been registered across the southeastern province of Khost.

Mohammad Wali Sediqi, director of the department, said efforts were underway to resolve these long-standing disputes.

He made these remarks on Tuesday at a reconciliation ceremony in Tani district. the ceremony marked the end of a 20-year-old feud between two families.

The conflict between Shakirullah and Lawang families was formally resolved in line with Pashtun customs through the symbolic destruction of “dust-capped caps” — a traditional sign of reconciliation — facilitated by tribal elders and local officials. The two sides embraced each other and reconciled.

The ritual of breaking dust caps may seem symbolic to some, it marked the conclusion of a deadly dispute that had claimed three lives over the years.

Shakirullah, 20-year-old, said he was not yet born when his father and uncle were killed as a result of the feud.
“I was born four months after my father was killed,” he said. “We want to focus on our education and building our lives. We’ve turned away from hostility and do not wish to prolong this feud.”

With his face and choice of words showing visible signs of bitter memories and emotional pain over the past two decades, Lawang, a 55-year-old member of the opposing side, told Pajhwok Afghan News he was thankful to tribal elders who helped transform enmity into friendship.

“I am so happy today — it feels like the entire world belongs to me,” he said. “Everyone gathered here, I see them as my sons and brothers. Let feuds disappear; there is no good in them.”

The dispute originally stemmed from a disagreement over ownership of a village road.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Wali Sediqi, director of borders and tribal affairs department, said 950 personal feuds had been registered across Khost, with 323 of them recorded in Tani district alone.

“We are working to resolve these feuds one by one,” he said. “You people are the backbone of the province’s economy and are among the most educated — so why are the most feuds in your district? Khost has 12 districts and three administrative units, and Tani alone has 323 personal feuds. Either your tribal elders are deceiving you, or you do not fear God Almighty.”

Tribal elders and community leaders said they were doing their best to prevent further violence, but warned that unless the government takes the issue seriously, the situation could worsen.

Ghazi Nawaz Tani, a tribal elder and head of the Afghan Tribal Solidarity Council, told Pajhwok: “Unfortunately, personal feuds have persisted in the Greater Paktia region for decades, with devastating effects. These include killings, economic hardship, and disunity. Our goal is to transform more of these conflicts into friendships. Even now, we witness people being killed daily or weekly in various areas.”

kk/ma