Jirga
Jirga is a traditional assembly of leaders, elders, and respected members of a community, used primarily among Pashtun populations in Afghanistan and Pakistan, though it is also found among other tribes in the region. The term derives from Pashto and means a gathering or council. Jirgas function as a forum for consultation, dispute resolution, mediation, and decision making on local and tribal matters.
Forms and scope: Informal jirgas address everyday issues such as land disputes, family matters, and local governance.
Procedures: Participants are usually selected to represent clans and tribes; deliberations emphasize consensus and honor, with
Impact and controversy: Jirgas reflect traditional governance and conflict-resolution practices in regions with weak central authority.