Body formed to address issues in Oghi

MANSEHRA: Members of civil society on Saturday constituted a public forum (Olsi Jirga) to address the individual and collective issues faced by men and women in Oghi tehsil.

“We have established this non-political forum to provide legal and other forms of assistance to people and to ensure that women receive their rightful share in inheritance and are not subjected to any form of violence,” Qazi Khalid, who was elected as chairman of the forum, told the jirga in Oghi. The Jirga met in Oghi and was largely attended by people from various walks of life. The different committees were formed to tackle individual and collective issues faced by the residents of Oghi and its surrounding areas.

Khalid said that people living below the poverty line, cannot afford to approach courts or health facilities due to financial constraints.

“We have formed different committees led by relevant professionals to address the issues faced by people in their respective fields and public departments,” he added. On the occasion, Vice-Chairman Mehmood Khan said that the lawyers’ committee would provide free legal assistance to women and other marginalised segments of society. “Women are often denied their rightful share in ancestral inheritance. Our legal committee, led by senior lawyers, will take these cases to court of law,” he added.