KARACHI, March 16: The Society for Protection of the Rights of the Child on Friday condemned the holding of two illegal Jirgas in the interior of Sindh in which tribal elders decided to give four minor girls into marriage as compensation to settle feuds.
“The Chief Justice of Sindh High Court should take suo motu notice of these Jirgas which are being held in the clear violation of the SHC’s verdict,” said Sparc Regional Manager Akhtar Baloch.
According to the Sparc statement issued on Friday, a Jirga was held in Rajo Khanani town to resolve a dispute of a love marriage in Khoso tribe. Ghulam Ali Khoso, Muhammad Ali Khoso and Bhongar Khan Khoso had headed that Jirga.
Akhtar Baloch said the so-called tribal chiefs imposed a fine over the man to marry two minor girls of his family with two persons who would be selected by the same Jirga.
Another Jirga decision which involved the attempt of abduction of two children was reported in Mirpur Mathelo, a
Karo-Kari accused Buland
Ali Buzdaar was imposed a penalty of giving away his sisters six-year-old Suhagan and four-year-old Azeeman along with Rs0.2 million into marriage with the accuser’s tribe two years ago.
His father Noor Mohammad Buzdaar disputed the decision at which armed assailants abducted the minor girls and took over their land and property.
“These incidents are the open violation of the rights of the children and the code of the minor marriages,” said Mr Baloch while referring to the Child Marriage Restraint Act 1929 which states that minor marriage is a criminal offence.
