PA resolution cannot abolish Sardari system, say tribal chiefs
QUETTA: Tribal chiefs Nawab Muhammad Khan Shahwani and Sardar Kamal Khan Bangulzai have said that an assembly resolution cannot abolish the centuries-old Sardari and Nawabi systems, arguing that tribal leaders have helped save lives, protect people’s honour and resolve disputes.
Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Sardarzada Mir Ashraf Khan Satakzai, Sardar Muhammad Asim Sarparah, Syed Ali Muhammad Shah and other tribal figures said that a resolution had been introduced in the provincial assembly to abolish the Sardari and Nawabi systems.
They said the position of a sardar was traditional and hereditary and it has passed down through generations rather than merely an official designation.
He said the misconduct of an individual tribal chief or an associate should not be used to condemn the entire system.
They claimed tribal leaders have resolved disputes through mutually agreed decisions, preventing conflicts from escalating and saving thousands of lives.
“The system itself may not be at fault; those operating it may be,” Mr Shahwani said, adding that action should be taken against individuals responsible for wrongdoing rather than blaming the entire tribal structure.
He said tribal chiefs often settled disputes through mutual consent and imposed fines where necessary to prevent further violence.
He said that personal grievances should not be used to justify abolishing a centuries-old tradition.
He urged the government to explain the reasons for seeking the system’s abolition and provide evidence if it was considered harmful. He called on those advocating reforms to engage directly with tribal leaders.
He emphasised that maintaining law and order was the responsibility of the government, which must provide security, peace, basic facilities and prompt, affordable justice.
The authorities should first improve governance and strengthen public confidence before considering changes to the tribal system, he said.
Sardar Bangulzai also opposed the proposed abolition, arguing that an assembly resolution alone could not eliminate the Sardari and Nawabi systems. He said the tribal system had provided accessible and inexpensive dispute resolution for generations. If the government intended to abolish it, he said, it should explain its justification and strengthen the formal judicial system to ensure that people continued to receive swift and affordable justice.
Referring to the security situation in Balochistan, he said tribal chiefs and other prominent figures could not travel freely outside Quetta.
