THE protracted conflict — primarily between the Mahar and Jatoi tribes since the mid-1980s — has claimed hundreds of precious lives, leaving behind a trail of grief and devastation in Shikarpur and adjoining areas. The situation has reached a point where people of one tribe cannot imagine passing through areas dominated by the other. Tragically, it is the poor and the vulnerable, not the powerful, who suffer the consequences.

While feudal lords and influential elites move freely in their fortified vehicles with heavily armed guards, it is the poor peasant and the common man who succumb to blind bullets.

The impact of this violence extends far beyond the immediate loss of life. The livelihoods of ordinary people are shat-tered, and the education of their children is severely disrupted. The children of the underprivileged are forced to grow up in an environment of fear and deprivation, while the children of the elite continue their education in prestigious institutions of major urban centres far removed from the local turmoil.

This stark disparity exposes the painful reality of a system where the powerless bear the burden of conflicts perpetuated by the influentials.

No conflict is beyond resolution. Even the most entrenched disputes can be settled through dialogue, sincerity and patience. At this critical juncture, the responsibility lies heavily on tribal chieftains, elected representatives and local authorities. They all must rise above narrow interests to ensure peace.

Qamer Soomro
Shikarpur

Published in Dawn, April 29th, 2026