Peshawar police ban private jirgas across city

PESHAWAR: Peshawar police have imposed a complete ban on private jirgas across the city, warning of strict action against those organising such gatherings at hotels and wedding halls, ARY News reported on Friday.

Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Mian Saeed announced that private jirgas would not be tolerated in the city and warned that strict legal action would be taken against organisers.

He said hotels and wedding halls found hosting private jirgas would also face action, adding that the premises concerned would be sealed if such gatherings were held there.

According to the CCPO, private jirgas held in the city often involved the display of weapons, raising security concerns.

Police said the decision was taken in the wake of a recent firing incident during a private jirga at a hotel, in which two people were killed.

Read More: Police break up jirga settlement in ‘rape case’ in Peshawar

The jirga system is a traditional dispute-resolution mechanism in which tribal elders and community leaders gather to settle civil, criminal and communal disputes through mutual consultation and consensus. However, some jirga decisions have attracted criticism over controversial rulings and practices that may violate the law and individual rights.

In a related development, police in Peshawar’s Badaber area arrested three suspects on June 25, 2026, in connection with an alleged gang rape case. Several members of a local jirga who allegedly participated in settling the matter were also taken into custody.

According to police, the jirga had reportedly decided that one of the accused would marry the victim and that compensation would be paid to her father.

However, a dispute later emerged over the payment, prompting the victim’s father to approach the police. An FIR was subsequently registered, and the suspects were arrested.

Police said an initial investigation also revealed prior contact between the suspects and the victim.