A jirga has decided to exchange two girls, aged around seven to eight years old, as a fine after their mother and father decided to get married without their family’s permission in Jacobabad’s Thull.

Two girls, aged around seven to eight years, have been handed over to a tribe as a fine after a couple decided to get married without their family’s permission in Jacobabad’s Thull.

The jirga took place in Thull’s village Garhi Hassan on Wednesday evening, March 15.

The case concerns Hajira Mangi, a 30-year-old widow, who married a man named Dadu Mangi, 28, of her own will. Hajira and Dadu each have daughters. Dadu was already married.

Hajira’s parents say she got married without their permission. They said it was a case of siya kari or karo kari and approached their sardar, Zulfiqar Khan Sarki.

Sarki held a private jirga at his house in which he heard the case. He often holds jirgas with some to settle land disputes.

It was decided that to appease Hajira’s family, her daughter and Dadu’s daughter, would be handed over to Hajira’s brothers and married off as the family decided. Furthermore, the couple has to pay Rs200,000 as punishment. They paid Rs50,000 on the spot and the rest will be given in installments.

Jirgas were ruled as illegal by the Supreme Court of Pakistan in 2019.