HYDERABAD, Sept 9: The Hyderabad chapter of the Women Action Forum launched a signature campaign against jirga system at Allama I.I. Kazi campus of the University of Sindh on Tuesday.

More than 4,000 students, teachers, research scholars, writers, deans of the faculties, directors and chairpersons of teaching centres, institutes and departments and a majority of faculty members participated in the campaign, which was inaugurated by Sindh University Vice-Chancellor Mazharul Haq Siddiqui.

Mr. Siddiqui said it was a tragedy that an ancient custom that encouraged treating women like chattel had been continuing through jirga system. The barbarity must come to an end now and the society should work against it in a collective manner to eradicate it.

He said that the university students should work as ambassadors and play their role against barbaric traditions and customs. He appreciated the forum’s struggle against different evils of society and called for collective efforts for the development of the society.

Akhtar Jabeen Siddiqui said that the jirga system was a challenge not only for the poor of backward areas but also for the educated people and the society as a whole.

Women Action Forum activists Professor Amar Sindhu and Professor Irfana Mallah also spoke on the occasion. Professor Sindhu said that the launch of signature campaign at the university was aimed at creating awareness among the youth who represented rural and urban areas.

She said that the list of signatures would be handed to the members of Sindh Assembly to persuade them to make laws against jirga system.

Vice-Chairman of Sindhi Adabi Board Shaikh Aziz, noted sociologist Dr. Tanveer Junejo, Dr. M.Q. Bughio, Registrar Mohammad Saleh Rajar, Dr. G.M. Lakho and Dr. Mehrunnisa Larik visited the campaign camp.