THIS is apropos of the letter ‘Kohistan girls’ case’ (June 6). I agree with the views of the writer regarding the jirga system in our society. We have been following century-old obsolete systems in society which is a great impediment for women to have education and to live a free dignified life.
In Balochistan jirga, in Sindh wadero, in Punjab chaudhry and in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa sardar — these conventional kinds of cultures in our society — are not acceptable in the current globalised and enlightened moderation era. These systems only create chaos and turmoil in society.
Owing to these cultures, educational institutions get devastated and women are not allowed to go out of their houses throughout most of the country.
Besides, these men-dominated cultures do not like giving fundamental rights to their womenfolk. Honour killings in Sindh and slaughtering of women in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are a few examples of these outdated cultures.
Whatever bills are being passed by the government regarding women is a good step in the right direction. However, it remains to be seen whether they are implemented in the right way.
The current killing of women in Kohistan merely for singing and clapping at a marriage is really a shameful act. Now the question is: how do you change the thinking of these people who set up society’s norms and values? They do what has been injected in their minds for the past several centuries. Their so-called norms and values include taking the lives of innocent people every day and night.
All humanitarian organisations, the Supreme Court of Pakistan, policymakers and politicians need to be serious regarding all these happenings and urgent steps should be taken to put these culprits behind bars.
