PESHAWAR: Peshawar Police have imposed a formal ban on private jirgas, warning marriage halls, hotels and other venue operators against allowing such gatherings on their premises.
Police officials have warned that legal action will be taken against anyone found violating the order or providing space for private jirgas.
According to media reports, the decision follows several incidents and complaints involving privately organised jirgas, which authorities say have contributed to disputes, intimidation and other problems.
Senior police officials said complaints from local residents highlighted concerns about the activities of these jirgas, prompting the department to impose a formal ban.
Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Dr Mian Saeed Ahmed confirmed the decision, saying one of the major reasons behind the action was the growing number of complaints from residents.
He said private jirgas were allegedly promoting a culture of weapons, while members of such groups were charging hefty amounts from both parties in the name of security deposits and dispute resolution.
According to the CCPO, arguments between opposing parties frequently erupt during these gatherings and sometimes escalate into physical clashes at the venues themselves.
He added that some private jirgas had effectively turned into commercial operations, with organisers charging both sides for their services. Such gatherings are often held at hotels and restaurants, where expensive meals are also arranged, adding to the financial burden on people already involved in disputes.
Dr Mian Saeed Ahmed said the government had already established Dispute Resolution Committees (DRCs) to settle disputes under police supervision.
He maintained that these committees operate independently, their members are well-known in their communities, and they do not charge parties for resolving disputes.
The CCPO said there was no need for private individuals or groups to establish separate jirgas when an official mechanism was already available to address public disputes.
He further alleged that private jirga members sometimes use armed intimidation to impose decisions on the parties involved. Organisers first obtain authority from both sides to settle a dispute and then pressure them to accept the decisions announced by the jirga.
The CCPO also disclosed that police had arrested several individuals involved in private jirgas in previous cases, recovered money collected from the parties and returned it to those who had paid it.
He added that some individuals associated with private jirgas had also been found involved in land-grabbing cases.
Dr Mian Saeed Ahmed said the DRC system offered an alternative mechanism for resolving disputes without financial exploitation or intimidation.
He made it clear that police action would not be limited to jirga organisers and members. Owners and management of hotels, marriage halls and other premises providing venues for such gatherings would also face legal action.
