A Jirga of local elders from Bajaur’s ultra-conservative Salarzai tribal territory prohibited women and couples from entering picnic sites, alleging a violation of regional norms.
The Jirga was presided over by Maulana Abdur Rashid, the JUI-F district amir for Bajaur, and was overseen by the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F).
The decision was announced by Maulana Rashid, who referred to the restriction on women entering hill stations as vulgar.
He added that the decision had been reached by all Salarzai clans and said, “We want the government to halt this practice as we will not take law into our own hands.”
“Taking women to picnic spots could not be allowed under the cover of tourism,” he added, saying that if the government failed to take any action in this regard then the Jirga would ban it.
Additionally, the Jirga insisted that only locals would be hired for positions in the district’s numerous departments.
It should be noted that despite the merging of tribal districts with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), local elders frequently attempt to impose their own rules that are seen to be outside the law and the constitution.
Local elders of Tehsil Mamond in Bajaur forbade women from visiting the Citizen Facilitation Center (CFC) and making phone calls to nearby FM radio stations in February 2021.
It was announced that those who violated the law will pay a penalty of Rs 10,000. A grand Jirga of all the clans was held in Sewai Dam Johar of Mamond attended by the elders of Barozai, Orozai, and Baramkazai clans in which several resolutions were passed.
Women are not permitted to visit CFC Khalozai, also known as the Sadai-e-Aman Program, according to the jirga.
Computerized CNICs, birth certificates, and registration of pregnant mothers and new mothers whom a monthly stipend of Rs 2,500 is paid—can all be obtained through a single window.
A village elder issued a warning: “If any woman went there to accept aid money, her family will have to pay a Rs 10,000 fine.”
