12 July 2004	Monday	23 Jamadi-ul-Awwal 1425

SUKKUR, July 11: A jirga was held in Ghotki district on Sunday to resolve a dispute between the Mahar and Pitafi tribes. It was learnt that the jirga was held at Garhi Chakkar in Mirpur Mathelo, Ghotki district. Among others, it was attended by Sardar Ali Gohar Khan Mahar, Sardar Ahmed Ali Pitafi, Sardar Qaim Khan Pitafi.

The jirga imposed a fine amounting to Rs750,000 on the Mahar tribe for the killing of two Pitafi tribesmen while the Pitafi tribe was told to pay a cumulative amount of Rs450,000 for killing a Mahar tribesmen and injuring two others.

The deceased were identified as Bahawal Pitafi and Rahzan Pitafi and Gaman Mahar, while those who were injured were Ali Hassan Pitafi, Ghulamoo Pitafi, Ghulam Qadir Mahar and Qasim Mahar.

The jirga imposed a fine amounting to Rs300,000 for each of the tribesmen killed and Rs125,000 for the seriously injured. The jirga did not take any decision regarding the killing of Ali Hassan Mahar and said a decision in this regard would later be announced.

Interestingly, the Sindh High Court's Sukkur Bench had banned the holding of jirgas but jirgas are still being held in clear violation of the court's standing orders.