Sindh

Settlements: Sardari blood worth seven times more than common tribesman’s

Jirga imposes fine of Rs7.9m on Leghari tribesmen for killing nephew of PPP MPA

Our Correspondent July 27, 2015

Sardar Ahmed Ali Khan Pitafi. PHOTO: FILE

SUKKUR: A jirga held in Ghotki on Sunday, to resolve a bloody dispute between Pitafi and Leghari tribesmen, imposed a fine of Rs7.91 million upon the Leghari tribesmen on charges of killing the nephew of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) MPA Sardar Ahmed Ali Pitafi during the 2008 general elections.

The jirga was held at the residence of Sardar Ahmed Ali Pitafi in Keenjhar, district Ghotki, and was jointly presided over by the Sardar, former PPP MNA Mian Abdul Haq alias Mian Mitho of Bharchoondi Sharif and MNA Sardar Avais Leghari. Apart from elders of both the tribes, a large number of tribesmen attended the jirga.

The jirga, after hearing the arguments of both the parties at length, engaged in a long discussion in a closed room, before announcing its verdict. According to the jirga, the Leghari tribesmen were found guilty of killing Shoaib Pitafi, injuring his men and causing damage to his vehicles, therefore the fine of Rs7.91 million was imposed upon them.

Read: In the name of 'honour': Two killed, six injured in karo-kari disputes

Sources privy to the jirga claimed that the jirga observed that killing a family member of a Sardar is a great crime and therefore its fine will be seven times more than that of a common tribesman.

Normally jirgas fix a fine of Rs800,000 for killing an ordinary tribesman but, in this case, the amount was increased seven fold and Rs5.6 million was imposed for the murder. Besides this, Rs1.4 million was imposed for causing damage to the vehicles and Rs810,000 was added for injuring the 10 men.

Read: In captivity: ‘Dacoits’ threaten to kill abducted Ghotki journalist

Sources claimed that both parties accepted the jirga’s verdict and the Leghari tribesmen paid Rs1 million on the spot as an advance, while the remaining amount will be paid in installments. It may be recalled that on the day of the general elections in 2008, Sardar Ahmed Ali Pitafi was contesting in PS-7 Ghotki, with Nadir Akmal Leghari as his opponent. Shoaib Pitafi, after receiving complaints of rigging at the Koro Khan Leghari polling station, rushed to the scene along with his men. As soon as he reached, armed men opened fire upon his vehicles, killing him and injuring his men.

Despite repeated attempts, The Express Tribune failed to contact former MNA Mian Abdul Haq alias Mian Mitho. Sardar Ahmed Ali Pitafi confirmed the reconciliation and said that the media should not worry about the amount of the fine. When asked why the fine imposed for the murder of his nephew was seven times more than normal, he refused to answer and said ‘none of your business’ before hanging up.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 28^th, 2015.

COMMENTS (3)

S.R.H. Hashmi | 9 years ago | Reply While working in another country in Africa during apartheid days, I read many news reports about apartheid in South Africa which shocked me. I read the report of a ‘white’ person badly injured ‘in a car accident who needed immediate operation and that would have required plentiful blood. However, segregation of whites and blacks during those days was so complete that even the hospitals used to keep white and black blood reserves separately. And at that particular moment, the hospital had only black blood in adequate quantity and the hospital staff told the injured man that the operation could be done only using black blood, and without the operation, he would die. However, the white man opted to die saying if he used black blood, devil will get into him. There was another case where a motorist driving with his family was warned that further down the road, some ‘blacks’ had established a post and they would attack him if he continued to travel on the road. However, the proud white man refused to be deterred by blacks and continued on the road, and as warned, he and his family got killed by angry Africans. Also, the Africans working in towns were made to live in camps, with scarce facilities, and were not allowed to bring their families there. And a television reporter interviewing a senior state official complained about the labour camps lacking basic facilities and not having even taped water inside their quarters, and the communal tapes being far too few to meet the needs of the large number of African workers there. On hearing that, the white official got into a rage and shouted “ They are Africans’” and added “They don’t take bath, they don’t wash their clothes, so what they do need water for”; we give them plenty to drink?” I had thought such things could happen only in apartheid Africa and had not realized that our own country was not far behind. While I know discrimination is common in our country on the basis of class difference, and indeed on many other grounds, but I had not quite realized that Jirgas value the life of a Sardar as seven times that of a common tribesmen, and the difference is recognized even after death, with the compensation for killing of a Sardar fixed by Jirgas as seven times that of a common man. It is a very shocking state of affairs. And what is even more shocking is that the state allows all this to happen right under its nose. Karachi

miristan | 9 years ago | Reply We live in in 21st century, days of slavery are gone. In Islam every human being is esquivel.If any one wants to be superior to others, he is not the follower of Islam. All Islamic parties Who consider themself as true representative of Islam should come forward and solve this issue. Because our Government does not believe in equality and same justice.for rich and poor.

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