LARKANA, Jan 16: A two-day seminar on "Karo-kari and jirga system" concluded here on Sunday with an appeal to the youth to supplement the efforts of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan in eliminating social ills.

The seminar noted that honour killings had been causing tribal disputes. Speaking at the seminar, Khalid Chandio, Amina Soomro, Zulfikar Rajpar, Larkana HRCP coordinator Siddik Abro and others said the jirga system was a parallel judicial system evolved by feudal lords and chieftains to serve their interests.

The speakers accused the feudal lords and chieftains of engineering karo-kari killings to keep control over people as they later head the jirgas convened to resolve the matters.

They regretted that women were killed on the pretext of karo-kari and the matters were later resolved in jirgas. They termed jirgas' decisions extra-constitutional. They observed that the media could play a vital role in arresting such brutal incidents by creating awareness among the masses.

They praised NGOs' role in influencing the government to make legislation against karo-kari. The speakers said political parties, lawyers and nazims should also raise voice against the jirga system and karo-kari.

They said the youth should be trained in reporting karo-kari incidents and seminars on the issue should also be held at sub-divisional level to ensure people's participation in the fight against the social ills.

Some speakers criticized the HRCP for its limited role. The HRCP announced to hold such seminars at sub-divisional level. Akhtar Baloch, provincial coordinator of the HRCP, Paryal Marri, assistant provincial coordinator, and Ambar Kusar Jhatyal presided over today's three sessions.

PROTEST: Doctors of the Chandka Medical College Hospital and its affiliated units boycotted OPD duties for the second consecutive day here on Saturday.

They are protesting against the arrest of Dr Aftab Rahooj in connection with the kidnapping of two judges. On the call of the Larkana chapter of the Pakistan Medical Association, the doctors, wearing black armbands, assembled outside the CMCH.

Speaking on the occasion, Larkana PMA president Dr Ikram Tunio, general secretary Dr Wahed Memon, Dr Jahangir, Dr Ghaffar, Dr Rajkumar and others criticized police for involving the doctor and other innocent villagers in the case. They alleged that the doctor was being tortured. They demanded release of the doctor and arrest of the real culprits.