PESHAWAR(National Times)- Police have imposed a ban on private jirgas (informal dispute-resolution gatherings) and warned wedding halls and other venues against allowing such meetings on their premises, cautioning that violations would invite legal action.
According to senior police officials, the decision was taken following a number of complaints and several incidents reported during private jirgas.
The complaints and incidents highlighted problems associated with such gatherings, prompting the police to impose the ban, they said.
They said that with Dispute Resolution Committees (DRCs) already in place and actively resolving disputes under police supervision, there was no need for private individuals to form their own groups and hold jirgas. They added that no one could exert influence over the DRCs, which operated independently.
They also said that although the holding of private jirgas had previously been discouraged and people had been asked to refrain from organising them, the department was now compelled to impose a formal ban.
When contacted, Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Dr Mian Saeed Ahmad confirmed the development.
“One of the most important reasons identified by locals for taking action against private jirgas is that they promote gun culture. Besides, the parties are asked to deposit hefty amounts as surety,” he told Dawn, adding that such gatherings often ended in clashes between the disputing parties, sometimes at the venue itself.
The CCPO said the government had already established DRCs, whose members were known to the public and whose activities were monitored by the police. He added that the committees did not charge the parties for resolving their disputes.
“Private jirga members charge both parties for their services. Such jirgas are held at hotels and restaurants, where lavish meals are served, placing an additional financial burden on the parties, who are also required to pay the bills,” he said, adding that if a body was already in place to resolve disputes free of charge, there was no need for private groups.
The CCPO said that in several cases, the police had arrested those involved, recovered the money and returned it to the disputing parties.
He added that such disputes were often resolved under the threat of firearms, as jirga members first asked both parties to authorise them to decide the matter. Once a verdict was announced, both sides were bound to accept it.
He said the DRCs provided an alternative mechanism for dispute resolution, but private jirgas had turned into commercial enterprises, with many jirga members eventually becoming involved in land grabbing.
“We have made it clear to everyone. We will not only take action against jirga members but also against those who provide them space to hold such gatherings,” the CCPO said.
