Jirga expels journalist
ISLAMABAD: A journalist, along with his family, has been expelled from South Waziristan’s Wana due to his criticism of a local jirga’s decision. Meraj Khalid’s expulsion has garnered media attention.
Nonetheless, he is not the sole journalist to suffer the consequences of a jirga’s wrath. Many others have also faced similar ordeals in the past.
Jirga rulings have had a significant impact on the work of journalists in the former tribal region of the country.
Meraj Khalid, a local TV channel staffer, criticized decision of jirga in a Facebook post. This critique displeased the jirga leaders and they imposed a fine of Rs 500,000 on him and issue threats to demolish his house if he failed to comply.
The incident began when Khalid posted about the jirga’s decision in Waziristan’s Wana. Jirga had ordered the demolition of a house owned by one of the parties involved in a dispute.
In his post, he wrote in English, “Once again, if anyone has made a mistake, it is the job of the state to punish him. But where we are living in a place where there is a state within the state. Please do not demolish anyone’s house because it affects children and women the most. What is their fault?“
Khalid told media that a subgroup of the Wazir tribe, known as Zalikhel, had formed a nine-member jirga to settle land and territorial disputes in the area.
A member of the Zalikhel tribe brought his dispute before the jirga, which then ordered the demolition of the opposing party’s house.
Journalist Miraj Khalid found this decision to be wrong, believing that it was the state’s responsibility to administer punishment, especially after the merger of the FATA regions.
Upon posting his message, Khalid was informed the following morning that he was being fined Rs500,000 for criticizing the jirga’s decision, and his house would be demolished if he didn’t pay the fine.
Khalid’s father, Sher Ali, stated that a malak (jirga leader) had informed him of his son’s fine for criticizing the jirga’s decision. Sher Ali conveyed their inability to pay such a substantial fine. He said that if they wanted to demolish their house over a social media post, they are welcome to do so. Consequently, they were compelled to vacate their house.
Sher Ali revealed that police surrounded their house and prevented its demolition by the jirga’s lashkar (force). Subsequently, the jirga decided to impose a social boycott until their house was demolished.
No one was allowed to provide water, shelter, or maintain any form of relationship with the family. Those found in violation would face a fine of Rs1 million or house demolition.
The family was forced to leave their house and is now residing with a friend in Islamabad.
Despite condemnation from the country’s politicians, journalists, and human rights organizations, the local police have failed to take any action against the jirga.
