13 girls declared Vani in Balochistan

http://www.thenewstribe.com/

A Tribal Jirga led by a provincial assembly member in Balochistan has decreed to Vani 13 girls as retaliation over killing of a person. According to reports received by Independent UK-based News Website The News Tribe, the decision was taken over killing of a person by his opponent Roshan Khan Maisori. The person from Maisori tribe killed a family member of Karam Khan Shahani and the Jirga was called to settle the dispute at Dera Bugti, a prominent city of Pakistan’s largest province by area, Balochistan.

The Jirga, which continued for three days under the supervision of Balochistan Assembly member Tariq Khan Maisori, declared 13 girls from killer’s family as Vani besides imposing a fine of Rs. 3 million. According to Aaj TV, a private news channel, girls ages’ range from 9 to 13 years though it could not be confirmed through independent sources.District Police Officer Dera Bugti Bashir Ahmed told The News Tribe that the area where the Jirga was held did not fall in his jurisdiction. “Rajanpur District of Punjab is used as route to reach Behakar, where the Jirga was held, and it is in control of area Deputy Commissioner,” Ahmed further said. Behakar is situated next to famous tourist point Fort Manro, about 200 kilometer away from Dera Bugti.Honour killings, rape, acid assaults, forced marriage and horrific violence are lamentably common in Pakistan despite some reforms. New laws banning some of the cruellest customs are often ignored. There is also an unconfirmed information that the decision was taken to settle murder-related conflict between Bagirani and Shahwani tribes. On contacting Deputy Commissioner Dera Bugti Agha Faisal, The News Tribe was told that Mr. Faisal is not in the area. Area Superintendent Abdul Azeem, however, expressed his ignorance over the incident saying ‘We do not have any information about it.’ “Such incidents have been happening for centuries in light of tribal customs,” he noted and added that such incidents were also reported in settled areas of Sindh and Punjab provinces. The practice of ‘Vani’ is being increasingly regarded as unacceptable to most of the communities, perhaps recognizing the cruelty involved thereof. ‘Vani’ is steadily being replaced by settlements paid in cash and land.