Ghotki lecturer declared ‘karo’, forced into hiding

The members of the jirga also fled to escape arrests.

SUKKUR: A lecturer from Ghotki has been ordered to leave his village by a jirga held to settle a karo-kari dispute between two groups of the Mahar clan.

Residents of Ali Mahar village, Allah Dino Mahar and Ahmed Bux Mahar, headed the jirga on Monday night. According to sources, Inayatullah Mahar accused Abdul Majeed*, who teaches at Government Degree College, Ghotki, of having an affair with his fiancée, Bibi Khatoon*.

Members of both the families were present during the jirga, in which the elders heard both sides before announcing the verdict. Majeed and Khatoon were declared ‘karo’ and ‘kari,’ and Majeed was told to leave the village immediately. The jirga also ordered that Khatoon should be killed.

As soon as the verdict was announced, Khatoon and her parents locked their homes and fled. Interestingly, Inayatullah, who had accused Majeed, also fled from the village.

When contacted, Majeed told The Express Tribune that Khatoon was his niece, and that Inayatullah had levelled baseless allegations against her.

“He just wants to capture my possessions,” claimed the college lecturer.

An official from the Ghotki police denied the jirga took place. Ghotki DSP Liaqat Abbasi confirmed, however, the incident.

“I am busy probing the matter and will let the press know about its outcome,” he said.

*Names of the girl and the lecturer have been withheld due to security concerns

Published in The Express Tribune, January 16^th, 2013.