QUETTA: Authorities in Pakistan’s Balochistan province have launched an investigation after a tribal jirga in Musakhel district forced eight men to walk on burning coals as part of a traditional “trial by fire” to determine their innocence in a theft case. A video of the incident went viral on social media, prompting swift intervention from the local administration.
According to police officials, the jirga ordered the men to undergo the ordeal as a means of proving whether they were involved in an alleged theft. Remarkably, none of the individuals sustained injuries during the ritual, the video showed.
District authorities, taking notice of the incident, registered a case against seven members of the jirga for conducting the illegal and dangerous practice. Police confirmed that one jirga member has already been arrested, while raids are under way to locate and detain the remaining suspects.
Officials stated that such extrajudicial and inhumane practices cannot be tolerated under any circumstances. The administration emphasized that the use of traditional tribal punishments is unlawful and that legal action will continue against all those involved.
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The incident has sparked renewed debate over the persistence of parallel justice systems in remote regions and the challenges authorities face in enforcing state laws. Authorities said the investigation is ongoing.
