By: Jamal Khurshid
Karachi: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Tassaduq Hussain Jillani on Wednesday took notice of a media report on the murder of two women allegedly ordered by a Jirga in the Wazirabad town of Shikarpur to settle a Karo-Kari dispute.
According to the report, two women of Mahar tribe were allegedly killed by their parents for having illicit relations with two Jagirani tribesmen.
The Jirga reportedly declared the women Karis and fined the Jagiranis a total of Rs2.4 million for “kidnapping” and “having illicit relations” with them.
The Jirga, presided over by Pakistan Muslim League-Functional MNA Ghous Bux Mahar, was apparently held to settle a potentially explosive tribal dispute and both the parties accepted its decision but no one was penalised for murdering the women.
Taking cognizance of the report, the chief justice observed that if the news item regarding Jirga was true, it was prima facie in violation of fundamental provisions of the constitution, particularly Article 9 and the Protection of Women (Criminal Law Amendment) Act 2006.
He ordered that the matter be placed before the Supreme Court at its Karachi Registry on March 20. Sindh’s police chief has been directed to appear in person and explain the incident and any violation of law committed in this regard.
Thar drought
A three-member bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice Jillani, will resume on March 20 the hearing of suo moto proceedings over the deaths of over 100 persons, including women and children, due to drought in Tharparkar. Notices have been issued to the provincial law officer and the health secretary. The court will also hear a suo moto case regarding Karachi’s law and order situation the same day.
