November 27, 2007	Tuesday	Ziqa’ad 16, 1428

ISLAMABAD, Nov 26: Care taker Federal Minister for Information Nisar Memon on Monday defended the existence of jirgas at the launch of the United Nations Development Fund for Women’s (Unifem) - end violence against women - campaign.

‘Jirgas’ or traditional community councils of elders for the resolution of disputes are unacceptable to country’s civil society organizations because of the excesses committed on women in their name.

The defence of jirgas by the federal minister, who termed them as a reality, was protested by the civil society activists present in the audience.

Realising that he had stepped into hot waters by advocating the jirga system, Mr Memon tried to pacify the agitated activists by telling them that he was not defending the decadent system, but was only pointing out the reality.

He suggested that instead of belittling the cultural legacies of the country, efforts should be made to bring the jirgas into mainstream.

The minister even quoted his personal experience of a longstanding sectarian conflict in Gilgit being resolved through a jirga.

Interestingly, his cabinet colleague Barrister Shahida Jamil, federal minister for women development and social welfare who spoke before him expressed her uneasiness on learning that Musalihaty (reconciliatory) Jirgas were part of the law.

Furthermore, Mr Memon reiterated government’s commitment to reject and fight violence in whatever shape it exists. He said the government was partner in Unifem’s campaign.

Dilating on the issue of ending violence in the present political context, he said a society having freedom of speech and free from fear of violence was imperative for free elections.