A jirga (occasionally jirgah) is a tribal assembly which takes decisions by consensus. particularly among the Pashtun ethnic group, but also in other ethnic groups near them; they are most common in Afghanistan and among the Pashtun in Pakistan.

The word is from the Pashto language -- jirga means "council", "assembly" or "meeting". It may also refer to a community council of elders.

The latter meaning is often found in circumstances involving a dispute between two individuals; a jirga may be part of the dispute resolution mechanism in such cases. The disputants would usually begin by finding a mediator, chosing someone of stature such as a senior religious leader, a local notable, or one of the mediation specialists (known as khans or maliks). The mediator hears from the two sides, and then forms a jirga of community elders, taking care to include supporters of both sides. The jirga then considers the case, and after discussing the matter comes to a decision about how to handle the matter, which the mediator then announces. The jirga's conclusion in the matter has to be accepted.

The jirga was also used as a court in cases of criminal conduct, but this usage is being replaced by formal courts.

See also: Loya jirga

External links

• Pakistan court bans all trials under Jirga system