Jirga fines teacher Rs0.9m for allegedly raping fourth grader

Accused also banished from village in Larkana district for three years

SUKKUR: A jirga has imposed a heavy fine on a teacher for allegedly raping a fourth grader in Nauabad village, within the limits of Hatri Ghulam Shah police limits in Larkana district.

The teacher, identified as Muzafar Mirani, was arrested for allegedly raping his student, R*, and impregnating her on March 1. Mirani is a teacher at Government Primary School, Nauabad.



A jirga was held in Nauabad village on Saturday under the leadership of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Larkana chapter organiser Shafqat Unnar to resolve the issue. The girl was represented by her father, Mumtaz Kalhoro, and her uncle, Ghulam Hussain Kalhoro, while Muzafar was represented by Mazhar Mirani and Haji Liaqat Mirani.

The jirga heard views of both parties before declaring Muzafar guilty. It imposed a fine of Rs0.9 million on him. Both parties agreed with the verdict and the accused's family paid Rs0.1 million on the spot and promised to pay the remaining amount in three equal installments.



The president of the jirga accused Muzafar of tarnishing the image of teachers and ordered him to leave the village for three years. Kalhoro and Unnar were unavailable for comments on the jirga's decision. According to the verdict, the girl's father will withdraw the FIR against the school teacher once the total amount of fine is paid.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 11^th,  2016.