KARACHI, May 25: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has described upper Sindh areas, especially Ghotki district, as 'a state within a state' and called for strengthening the civil society organizations and democratic institutions there to combat feudal system.

An HRCP fact-finding team has visited Ghotki to investigate last week's clashes, between the Mahar and Almani tribes, which had left five people dead. In its report, the team has stated that the Ghotki area is in a firm grip of local sardars and the administration, law-enforcement agencies, political and social forces, journalists and civil society organizations all have to work at the will of the sardars. The prevalent mindset is damaging national unity and cohesion.

The police and administration depend on the advice of Sardars, thus reducing the credibility of judicial system, HRCP report says, observing that "a Mahar Sardar heading the provincial government has led to further deterioration in police system. The police officials have become more loyal to Mahar Sardars and want to keep the jirga system in effect."

The HRCP report further stated that the administration and police had not taken notice of Justice Rehmat Hussain Jaffrey's decision declaring jirga 'illegal and unconstitutional'. The administration, which is supposed to implement the court's verdict in letter and spirit, might not have gone through the judgement, it added.

It observed that the recent clashes in Ghotki appeared to be the result of a struggle between Sardars for political supremacy. The marriage of Ms Shaista Almani and Balakhsher may have heightened the tension between the two tribes but the last week's clashes were not a direct result of the marriage, the team remarked.

According to the team's report, several hundred Almani tribesmen have migrated from Ghotki to other area whereas the remaining ones would also have to move out if the situation worsened.

The HRCP report stressed on practical measures to eliminate the jirga system. The report also referred to inefficiency of courts and corruption in the legal system which, it said, had undermined the judicial system's credibility. -PPI

Opinion

Editorial

Smog hazard
Updated 05 Nov, 2024

Smog hazard

The catastrophe unfolding in Lahore is a product of authorities’ repeated failure to recognise environmental impact of rapid urbanisation.
Monetary policy
05 Nov, 2024

Monetary policy

IN an aggressive move, the State Bank on Monday reduced its key policy rate by a hefty 250bps to 15pc. This is the...
Cultural power
05 Nov, 2024

Cultural power

AS vital modes of communication, art and culture have the power to overcome social and international barriers....
Disregarding CCI
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Disregarding CCI

The failure to regularly convene CCI meetings means that the process of democratic decision-making is falling apart.
Defeating TB
04 Nov, 2024

Defeating TB

CONSIDERING the fact that Pakistan has the fifth highest burden of tuberculosis in the world as per the World Health...
Ceasefire charade
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Ceasefire charade

The US talks of peace, while simultaneously arming and funding their Israeli allies, are doomed to fail, and are little more than a charade.