Pakistan

People's Peacemaking Perspectives

This briefing looks at the role that Jirga, a traditional gathering of elders that resolves grievances by consensus, can play in conflict transformation and resolution in the Provincially Administered Tribal Areas (PATA) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), one of the most conflict-affected areas in Pakistan.

The study, by Saferworld and Community Appraisal and Motivation Programme (CAMP), presents local perspectives on the Jirga system, the challenges it brings and areas for improvement, such as including marginalised and vulnerable groups in a manner and timeframe that is acceptable to local people. It concludes that a more representative and inclusive Jirga system would improve access to justice for all members of society and reduce local tensions and conflicts in PATA.

Dowload the policy brief or click here to read the full report

This research is part of the EU-funded People’s Peacemaking Perspectives project.

“Jirga is a very effective tool for settling disputes, but that doesn’t mean that Jirga does not have room for improvement.”

Female civil society member, Swat, Pakistan