SUKKUR, June 10: Sindh Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Dr Sohrab Sarki has said that no jirga was held in the Garhi Hassan Sarki village on June 7, in which a girl was reportedly handed over in marriage to settle a dispute.

In a statement faxed to Dawn on Saturday, he said that he was a “liberal and educated politician” and could not allow the holding of a jirga in his own village.

But a number people, including the taluka nazim, confirmed that the jirga was held at the residence of Sardar Zulfiqar Sarki, elder brother of Dr Sohrab Sarki, in the Garhi Hassan Sarki village.

Thull Taluka Nazim Ghulam Akbar Banglani had presided over the jirga, they said.

Mr Banglani, who had earlier confirmed the holding of the jirga, said that it was not a jirga but a meeting for the reconciliation of two rival groups.