Delayed justice: Jirga fines former SHO Rs2.5m for killing man

Noor Ahmed Pechuho accepted the verdict and paid Rs200,000.

SUKKUR: The former SHO of the Thul police station, Asif Pechuho, was fined Rs2.5 million for torturing and killing a man from the Sarki tribe.

A jirga led by Sardar Zulfiqar Sarki was held in Garhi Hassan Sarki village near Thul to settle the score for the murder that had taken place six months ago. Allah Rakhiyo Sarki fought for his brother Manzoor Ali Sarki while Noor Ahmed Pechuho was there to represent his nephew - the SHO.

Sources claim that the jirga heard both sides of the argument and after a discussion with the tribal elders decided that the SHO should be held responsible for the murder and be fined. The SHO’s uncle accepted the verdict on behalf of his nephew and paid Rs200,000. He added that the remaining amount would be paid in three equal installments.

When contacted, the village SHO Ali Mohammad Odho claimed that he did not know if a jirga had taken place because he was out of town.

Thul DSP Ghulam Murtaza Mirani and Larkana DIG Saen Rakhiyo Mirani claimed to be unaware about the jirga as the village was out of their jurisdiction.

Sardar Zulfiqar Sarki and SSP Jacobabad were not available to comment on the jirga.

Case history

Six months ago, the Thul police had arrested, tortured and allegedly killed Manzoor Ali Sarki over an alleged robbery. His death had sparked anger among his tribesmen. The Jacobabad SSP had ordered the police to register a case against the SHO.

Manzoor’s brother Budho Sarki was a criminal who was killed in a police encounter two years ago.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 7^th, 2011.