QUETTA: A jirga presided over by a member of the Balochistan Assembly was held during the second week of last month in Bakar area of Dera Bugti district to resolve a dispute between two tribal groups, according to agency reports.

The jirga decided that 13 girls be given away in marriage to settle the dispute, the sources said. A fine of Rs3 million was also allegedly imposed.

The jirga allegedly chaired by MPA Mir Tariq Masuri resolved the issue revolving around one Roshan Khan alias Pilia Masuri Bugti who murdered Mira Khan, brother of one Karam Khan Shahani.

Our Correspondent adds: When contacted by Dawn, Mir Tariq Masuri denied that any jirga was held in Bakar area of Dera Bugti district during which a tribal dispute was resolved.

Talking by telephone from Multan on Monday night, Mr Masuri claimed that neither had he chaired any jirga nor was it in his knowledge that a jirga meeting was held in the Bakar area.

He further said that he was outside the Dera Bugti district for the last three weeks and during that period he attended sessions of provincial assembly in Quetta from Sept 18 to 27.