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These councils are now settling ordinary criminal cases as well as family disputes. Markaza Khinjan’s council stopped the practice of using women as payment in blood feuds, with guidance from the Aga Khan Foundation, an NGO that trains many of the councils. The foundation has praised the councils’ responsiveness to local needs. It also suggests that the rigour of standing for election may have helped focus the minds of the councillors.
http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displaystory.cfm?story_id=15772771
Ismailimail 