MANSEHRA: The police banned holding private jirgas anywhere in the district on Saturday, warning that any such illegal forum convened in violation of the order would result in punitive action against the SHO of the area concerned.

“I have received complaints that jirgas are being held in which victims, mostly women and girls, are forced to settle disputes outside the courts without being dispensed with justice,” district police officer Mohammad Azhar Khan told reporters.

He said he had directed SHOs of all police stations across the district to ensure that no illegal jirga was held, warning that those who organised, facilitated or participated in such forums would be arrested and proceeded against under the law.

“We cannot allow a handful of people to deprive victims of justice and their fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution in the guise of out-of-court settlements and decrees that are against the existing legal framework and social norms,” Mr Khan said.

The DPO said in most jirga-related cases, victims were forced into reconciliation with the perpetrators instead of being provided justice, adding that such practices would no longer be tolerated.

He said statutory bodies known as dispute resolution councils had been established across the district and the province to resolve issues of a petty nature.

Published in Dawn, December 21st, 2025