Pakistan Moves to Reinstate and Institutionalize Traditional Jirga System in Tribal Regions
According to reports from news agency Kokcha, the Pakistani government is actively working to revive and formalize the centuries-old jirga system—an indigenous community-based dispute resolution mechanism—by integrating it into the national legal framework.
In a high-level meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, and Minister for States and Frontier Regions Amir Muqam, government officials from both federal and provincial levels agreed on a strategic roadmap to reintroduce jirgas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province.
This initiative, supported by tribal elders and legal experts, aims to provide culturally resonant justice mechanisms that align with Pakistan’s Constitution and legal standards. The goal is to address long-standing disputes and insecurity while respecting local customs, all within a legal framework that safeguards fundamental rights.
Minister Muqam emphasized, “This system must reflect the real needs of the communities it serves. It will operate within the law, not outside it.” A dedicated subcommittee has been formed to oversee the consultation process, with the next meeting scheduled to take place in Peshawar.
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal highlighted the broader objective of reducing reliance on overstretched police forces in KP, stating, “The KP government is an essential stakeholder, and we are committed to moving forward collaboratively.”
KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi expressed appreciation for the federal government’s responsiveness to tribal leaders’ longstanding demands for culturally rooted yet legally sound dispute resolution methods, aimed at promoting peace and stability in the region.
