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UK families see ruin of Swat homes UK families see ruin of Swat homes
(about 1 hour later)
By Zubeida Malik Today programmeBy Zubeida Malik Today programme
Once a popular destination for honeymooners and holidaymakers, the "Switzerland of Pakistan" is now an area riven by conflict.Once a popular destination for honeymooners and holidaymakers, the "Switzerland of Pakistan" is now an area riven by conflict.
Since 2007, militants have gradually consolidated their hold over Swat, in the northern parts of Pakistan's North West Frontier Province (NWFP), just 100 miles from the capital Islamabad.Since 2007, militants have gradually consolidated their hold over Swat, in the northern parts of Pakistan's North West Frontier Province (NWFP), just 100 miles from the capital Islamabad.
Ahmed Sher's family home was destroyed by the TalibanAhmed Sher's family home was destroyed by the Taliban
The government agreed to Sharia law in February this year, in return for an end to the Taleban insurgency. Hundreds of schools have been destroyed and women now have to wear the burka.The government agreed to Sharia law in February this year, in return for an end to the Taleban insurgency. Hundreds of schools have been destroyed and women now have to wear the burka.
Flogging has also been used as a form of punishment for men and women.Flogging has also been used as a form of punishment for men and women.
The armed insurgency means that thousands of people have fled the area and are now living in refugee camps or with relatives and friends elsewhere in Pakistan.The armed insurgency means that thousands of people have fled the area and are now living in refugee camps or with relatives and friends elsewhere in Pakistan.
And many British Asians of Pakistani origin, who have family connections to Swat, have been affected too.And many British Asians of Pakistani origin, who have family connections to Swat, have been affected too.
UK-Pakistan 747,285 people in UK of Pakistani origin1.3% of UK population of Pakistani originPeople of Pakistani origin UK's second largest minority groupUK-Pakistan 747,285 people in UK of Pakistani origin1.3% of UK population of Pakistani originPeople of Pakistani origin UK's second largest minority group
In August last year, 27-year-old Sikander Rashid from Southampton was driving back to his family's ancestral village in the Swat valley when the Taleban ambushed him and his friends from a nearby cornfield.In August last year, 27-year-old Sikander Rashid from Southampton was driving back to his family's ancestral village in the Swat valley when the Taleban ambushed him and his friends from a nearby cornfield.
He was shot seven times in both legs. One of his Pakistani friends was killed.He was shot seven times in both legs. One of his Pakistani friends was killed.
His father, Ahmed Sher, flew from Britain to be at his son's bedside in a hospital in the north-west frontier city of Peshawar.His father, Ahmed Sher, flew from Britain to be at his son's bedside in a hospital in the north-west frontier city of Peshawar.
While Mr Sher was there, he received a phone call that the Taleban were laying down mines in his family's and extended family's home.While Mr Sher was there, he received a phone call that the Taleban were laying down mines in his family's and extended family's home.
They were looted of everything before being blown up. In all, the families lost six properties.They were looted of everything before being blown up. In all, the families lost six properties.
I'm supporting my family here plus the ones who lost everything in Swat Shahid Pakistan agrees Sharia law deal I'm supporting my family here plus the ones who lost everything in Swat Shahid Pakistan agrees Sharia law deal
Mr Sher believes that he was targeted because the family is influential - some members are involved in politics. Their grandfather and great-grandfather have all now been put on a Taleban hit-list warning them not to return to Pakistan or they will be killed.Mr Sher believes that he was targeted because the family is influential - some members are involved in politics. Their grandfather and great-grandfather have all now been put on a Taleban hit-list warning them not to return to Pakistan or they will be killed.
The threat includes the extended family.The threat includes the extended family.
"We were like the elders of the village and because they wanted us to obey their laws, all their laws - we are Muslim we are bound to Sharia laws - but their Sharia laws are extreme laws," Mr Sher says."We were like the elders of the village and because they wanted us to obey their laws, all their laws - we are Muslim we are bound to Sharia laws - but their Sharia laws are extreme laws," Mr Sher says.
"We were targeted because of the influence we had in the village and in the area.""We were targeted because of the influence we had in the village and in the area."
Some say that there are those in the community in Britain who are informers, and tell the Taleban in Pakistan what is happening.Some say that there are those in the community in Britain who are informers, and tell the Taleban in Pakistan what is happening.
Correspondents in the region say that the Taleban are using intimidation as a technique and exploiting class divisions in society there.Correspondents in the region say that the Taleban are using intimidation as a technique and exploiting class divisions in society there.
The Taleban has published a hit-list of 43 prominent names in Swat, which includes politicians and landlords.The Taleban has published a hit-list of 43 prominent names in Swat, which includes politicians and landlords.
Too afraid to show his face, Ahmed Sher shows a picture of his ancestral homeToo afraid to show his face, Ahmed Sher shows a picture of his ancestral home
Sikander Rashid is now recovering at home. He says he has made a ''50%'' recovery, but is haunted by ''bad dreams'' and is ''scared all the time''.Sikander Rashid is now recovering at home. He says he has made a ''50%'' recovery, but is haunted by ''bad dreams'' and is ''scared all the time''.
Shahid - not his real name - still has family in Swat and is concerned about their security. He lost two houses, and other members of his extended family are now living in different cities in Pakistan.Shahid - not his real name - still has family in Swat and is concerned about their security. He lost two houses, and other members of his extended family are now living in different cities in Pakistan.
He is now the main breadwinner for his family in Britain and in Pakistan.He is now the main breadwinner for his family in Britain and in Pakistan.
"I'm supporting my family here plus the ones who lost everything in Swat. So I've got two things to do at the same time, so it's really depressing at the moment and financially I'm stuck," he says."I'm supporting my family here plus the ones who lost everything in Swat. So I've got two things to do at the same time, so it's really depressing at the moment and financially I'm stuck," he says.
With the Taleban restricting women's movements in Swat he's worried about his female relatives living there. "They can't go out anymore and they have to wear a burka, their daughters can't go to school anymore."With the Taleban restricting women's movements in Swat he's worried about his female relatives living there. "They can't go out anymore and they have to wear a burka, their daughters can't go to school anymore."
The family were widely respected in the areaThe family were widely respected in the area
The Taleban have shot a video of his destroyed home, which is now circulating in the markets in Swat as a warning to people.The Taleban have shot a video of his destroyed home, which is now circulating in the markets in Swat as a warning to people.
Naheeda Rashid, 31, says because they can longer go back to Swat, her children are missing out on learning their mother tongue.Naheeda Rashid, 31, says because they can longer go back to Swat, her children are missing out on learning their mother tongue.
She says the TV is always switched to the news on a Pakistani channel as its it way of keeping in touch and finding out all the latest developments.She says the TV is always switched to the news on a Pakistani channel as its it way of keeping in touch and finding out all the latest developments.
She says: "I think we're all in a state of depression...it's heartbreaking."She says: "I think we're all in a state of depression...it's heartbreaking."