Pakistan manifests its inability to stop retributive justice, particularly when it comes to violence against women, which is conveniently carried out under the pretext of the Jirga system. On Sunday, a young girl was murdered and another rescued by the police in a case involving a viral video in which both the girls could be seen dancing with local boys. The tragic incident occurred in the Barsharyal village of Kohistan’s Palas — 150km northwest of Mansehra — by her own family members on the orders issued by a local Jirga.
Regarded as a parallel justice system, Jirgas not only defy the human rights values outlined in the Constitution but also, through their harsh decrees, create chaos in the lives of individuals. Despite being outlawed by the Sindh High Court in 2004, the Jirga system continues to operate extensively across the country.
Jirgas present challenges on multiple fronts. While claiming to deliver prompt justice, their operations reveal a disturbing reality where justice is not only denied but vehemently condemned for those who violate the prescribed repressive social code, primarily focused on restricting individual free will.
Moreover, the prospect of women seeking justice from a Jirga often proves fatal for the victims. The exclusion of women as members, witnesses, or complainants within the Jirga system, forcing them to access it solely through male relatives, underscores the system’s misogynistic nature. Victims of Jirga violence find themselves marginalized, existing in a liminal space that clearly denotes their subjugation to this vehement system.
The Kohistan video case is a tragic example of how honor killing violates the human rights and dignity of the victims, and how the perpetrators often escape accountability and justice. The case also highlights the challenges and risks faced by those who dare to speak out against honor killing and other forms of violence against women. The case calls for urgent action and reform to end the practice of honor killing and to protect the lives and freedoms of women and girls in the country.
