Role of Jirga and Dispute Resolution Councils in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: A Comparative Analysis

Abstract

Jirga is the centuries-old institution of alternative dispute resolution in Pakhtun society. With the passage of time the efficiency of the said institution deteriorated which automatically destroyed common people's reliance on Jirga. People of this region are strict in following of their cultural and traditional values so complete abolition of the Jirga system was not possible, To fill the gap in the traditional structure, Dispute Resolution Councils have been established in KP since 2012 as a modified form of traditional Jirga. DRC is functioning in numerous districts of KP and people have a positive image of its efficiency for resolving local disputes. This paper analyses all the factors which made Jirga institution a weak decision-making body and provided the room for the establishment of this Alternative Dispute resolution mechanism. This study is qualitative in nature. Data has been collected through primary and secondary sources.