Rule of law challenged in Daharki as jirga gives two girls in Vani

The writ of the government has come under question after an illegal jirga in Daharki allegedly declared a young man guilty of “siah kari” for love marriage and ordered that his sister and niece be handed over in vani.

According to the 24NewsHD TV channel report, the family of the victim couple said the jirga also imposed a fine of Rs3 million and seized their house and crops, while the young man's father, sister, and niece were taken hostage for refusing the decision.

Speaking to the media, the family from village Kondhal Kobhar near Daharki alleged that influential landlord Rab Nawaz convened the illegal jirga and subjected them to brutal treatment.

They said that six months ago, Rajab Ali Kobhar married of his own will, after which the jirga declared him guilty of “siah kari” and announced punishments against him and his family.

According to the family, the jirga ordered that Rajab’s sister and niece be given in vani, but when they refused, the landlord took Rajab’s visually impaired father, sister, and niece hostage and kept them in illegal confinement for a week. They added that the newlywed couple were also expelled from the village.

The family further alleged that landlord Rab Nawaz occupied their house and standing crops, leaving them without shelter or livelihood. They claimed that despite approaching the Daharki police, no action was taken against the influential landlord.

The affected family has now appealed to senior authorities, including the Deputy Inspector General of Police in Sukkur and the SSP of Ghotki, to take immediate notice of the matter, ensure their protection, and initiate legal proceedings against those involved.

They warned that such parallel justice systems posed a serious challenge to the rule of law and fundamental rights.

Another case of vani (forced marriage) was surfaced earlier this year on March 10 when police in Paharpur area of Dera Ismael Khan (DI Khan) arrested three people besides carrying out raids for the arrests of three others in connection with the suicide of a barber who ended his life after his 11-year-old daughter was given in marriage (Vani) to the suspect’s son only because his (barber) nephew had talked to the suspect’s daughter.

According to the 24NewsHD TV channel report, in an audio, which Adil, the girl’s father, recorded before committing suicide, he said that he was going to end his life in the hope that perhaps his sacrifice could save the future of his child. 

Police said that a few days ago, at a marriage ceremony of Adil’s elder daughter at Bagwani Shumali village, suspect Farid’s daughter was seen talking to Adil’s nephew. 

Infuriated over this, Farid raised the issue at a panchayat, which summoned the barber. The panchayat imposed Rs700,000 in fine on Adil’s nephew for talking to Farid’s daughter.

However, even after receiving the amount, Farid’s anger failed to subside and he again raised the issue at a panchayat.

This time the panchayat forcibly married off Adil’s daughter to Farid’s son. This left the barber extremely dejected who at last committed suicide. 

Police swung into action after the news of the incident went viral on social media, registered a case and also made arrests.  Police officials have said that the affected girl has been handed over to her family. 

Reporter: Jahangir Alam