MANSEHRA: Elders and notables from different tribes in Dor Mera tehsil of Torghar district on Saturday formed a jirga to settle disputes out of court.

They gathered in the Bartoni area and unanimously agreed to revive the traditional jirga system as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism.

The jirga system, once central to tribal justice, has faced criticism from civil society for its alleged bias, particularly against women, since Torghar was declared a settled district in 2011.

“We will resolve our disputes through this jirga, as many people don’t have financial means to seek justice through the courts of law,” said a participant.

Insist many don’t have money to seek justice through courts

The jirga appointed Dor Mera tehsil council chairman Maulana Shah Zamin and elders Mohammad Naseeb Zar and Mohammad Ayaz as the chief jurists to preside over the proceedings.

“We will soon decide on the assistants to the chief jurists,” Mr Zamin said.

He said mutual respect and peaceful coexistence among all tribes were the foundation of the tribes’ unity.

Mr Zamin said that the decrees issued by the jirga would be binding on all participating tribes.

He said although the local government system had been introduced in the district like other parts of the province, it had largely failed to address the civic and administrative issues at grassroots level.

SECURITY ENHANCED: The judiciary, administration and police on Saturday decided to enhance security at and outside courts following a request from the district and sessions judge for increased deployment around court premises.

“We are deploying additional personnel and adopting modern surveillance tools to ensure foolproof security for judges, lawyers, and litigants,” district police officer Shafiullah Khan Gandapur told a meeting following the examination of court security.

District and sessions judge Sadia Arshad, deputy commissioner Mian Behzad Adil and DPO Shafiullah Khan Gandapur jointly visited the court complex and reviewed the security arrangements, CCTV surveillance points, police posts, and entry and exit gates.

During the meeting, DPO Gandapur said that while the police were already on high alert, further deployment would now be ensured to reinforce court security as litigants from across the district visited courts in connection with their cases.

“This joint visit, planned by the district and sessions judge, has highlighted areas for improvement, and we will make sure all available resources are utilised for enhanced safety,” he said.

Judge Sadia Arshad emphasised the need for strict vigilance and comprehensive checks at all entry points.

Deputy commissioner Mian Behzad Adil said security at all sensitive locations, including the courts, was being regularly reviewed in collaboration with law-enforcement agencies.

Meanwhile, the All Teachers Association on Friday urged the district accounts officer to prioritise the resolution of the teachers’ salary and taxation-related issues.

A delegation of the association, led by its district president, Amjad Saeed, met with District Accounts Officer Mushtaq Ahmad Swati and demanded immediate attention to the teachers’ longstanding problems.

Mr Saeed informed Mr Swati that pay taxation for teachers had not been processed since 2017, which was causing hurdles in processing pensions.

He said teachers repeatedly approached the accounts office but the core issue remained unresolved.

Mr Swati said issuance of taxation documents to teachers would start next week.

Published in Dawn, July 13th, 2025