InfoAnda - Artists flee Pakistan's Swat valley to escape fanatics' threats

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Australian leaders face voters in pre-election forum | 18 August 2010
Google Maps embroiled in Central America border dispute | 7 November 2010
Swedish equality fades away as rich get richer | | 21 March 2012

Three sentenced to death for Beijing taxi murder spree: report | 27 November 2008

">Forum Views () ">Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Artists flee Pakistan's Swat valley to escape fanatics' threats

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail Yahoo! Search Search: Sign InNew User? Sign Up News Home - Help Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Asia Pacific World Search Search: Artists flee Pakistan's Swat valley to escape fanatics' threats AFP - 2 hours 2 minutes ago KARACHI (AFP) - - Mohammad Shahid scrapes together a living in a city slum by painting birds, flowers, animals and celebrity portraits onto minibuses -- and vows never to return to the horrors of Swat valley. ADVERTISEMENT After pro-Taliban vigilantes beat and threatened him at gunpoint, he swapped the green pastures and sweeping mountains of his birthplace for the concrete jungle of Pakistan's smoggy metropolis of Karachi on the Gulf. It was heart-breaking to leave the idyll of his youth, he said, but there was no choice. "I had to come here because there was no other chance for me or my family to survive," said 45-year-old Shahid. The memories of the terrifying campaign waged by Islamist hardliners to enforce sharia law are still fresh for Shahid, and no fledgling truce between the government and those who chased him out will persuade him to return. "I'm a painter, an artist. I can't do anything else to earn a living. The Taliban won't allow people like us to do our work, which saw my family suffer. "What would I do if I return in these conditions? They will remain in control of the region and no one will have freedom to work at will." The one-time ski resort became a battlefield. Rotar blades from helicopter gunships sliced through the once-clear skies. Warplanes roared overhead. Anything deemed "un-Islamic" was banned. Opponents were beheaded, more than 120 girls' schools were bombed, entertainment was outlawed. Shahid said he used to make a good living painting landscapes, birds, Pakistani and Indian film stars, pavement caricatures and portraits, which were popular with tourists who flocked to the once-friendly and tolerant valley. But then the fanatics came, the tourists left and life changed for those who made a living from the arts. Suspected Taliban militants kidnapped and murdered a dancer, Shabana, who ignored warnings to quit her profession. Her bullet-riddled body was dumped on the main roundabout of Green Chowk in the main town of Mingora last December. One after another, artists, dancers and singers renounced their profession or fled to more liberal cities such as Karachi, Lahore or Islamabad. One day, Shahid said, gun-toting vigilantes walked into his studio. "They beat and insulted me for doing something that they said was forbidden by religion," Shahid said. "'From now on, don't paint creatures'," Shahid quoted one of them as saying, "'otherwise you'll suffer an unprecedented punishment'." Shahid rang his brother, a construction worker in Karachi. "He asked me to leave immediately. I took my wife and four children, caught a bus from Mingora and came here." He rented a place in Karachi's western Baldia Colony slum, found a job painting trucks and buses, and put his children in school. Shahid said the humidity and pollution of Karachi frequently make his children ill, but he insists he will never again put himself at the mercy of the "unpredictable" Islamists in Swat -- where the government has agreed to enforce sharia, or religious, law. "One's life will still be in danger no matter what guarantee they give," Shahid said. "I don't want to disturb my daughter's studies. She's in school here. The militants could reverse their pledge any moment." The United States, which puts South Asia on the frontline of the "war on terror," has branded extremists who make their base in northwest Pakistan a direct threat to the country, to neighbouring Afghanistan, and to the security of the US and other nations. Yet the net of Islamist extremism is spreading across the northwest, where Taliban and Al-Qaeda extremists have infiltrated the border with Afghanistan to create de facto fiefdoms in semi-autonomous tribal areas. US drones have rained dozens of missiles on areas they believe to be extremist strongholds, and Pakistan's military has spent months fighting the Taliban. Even in Peshawar, the bustling northwestern trading city close to the Afghan border, artists have come under threat from the extremists. Nishtar Hall, the only theatre in Peshawar, has been closed for six years. Militants kidnapped Alam Zeb Mujahid, a famous Pashto comedian, from the upscale Hayatabad neighbourhood in January, held him for five days and let him go only after he renounced all drama and film work. Haroon Bacha, a renowned Pashto singer, left the northwestern town of Swabi for the United States when militants demanded he stop singing. "I started getting threats from the Taliban about a year ago. I was told to stop singing. There were letters, there were phone calls and there were text messages," he wrote to AFP in an email message from Washington. "They used to come to my home very frequently, telling me to stop music or I would be killed." CD and music shops, Internet cafes and barbers who shave beards -- all have been targeted and many shut down. Some of those brave enough to stay open have hired private security. And for many of those who have left, the bombings and beheadings stay with them. "My little children still scream when they see planes flying. Children run for shelter in Swat when they see planes or helicopters," says Hashim Khan, a 37-year-old labourer who lives near Karachi airport. "They saw planes bombing in Swat. It still haunts their dreams. I saw bodies lying near Green Chowk, the roundabout where Shabana was dumped. "The area once symbolised our city's beauty but now it has become 'khooni' (bloody) Chowk," he said. Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Recommend this article Average (0 votes) Sign in to recommend this article » Most Recommended Stories » Related Articles: Entertainment & Lifestyle US-ENTERTAINMENT SummaryReuters - 2 hours 18 minutes ago "Sex and the City" creator Star reunites with HBOReuters - 2 hours 18 minutes ago Chris Brown appears in court on felony chargesAP - Friday, March 6 U2 set to lead U.S. chart despite sales slideReuters - Friday, March 6 Top 13 finalists chosen on 'American Idol'AP - Friday, March 6 Enlarge Photo A Pakistani painter decorates the body of a truck at a market in Karachi, on March 5. One after another, artists, dancers and singers have renounced their profession or fled the horrors of pro-Taliban fanaticism to more liberal cities such as Karachi, Lahore or Islamabad. Most Popular – Entertainment Viewed Footage raises new questions about Pakistan attack Space rock gives Earth a close shave Auditors cite 'substantial doubt' about GM's survival Ladyboy lizards use transvestite trickery: researchers China runs ahead with spending torch View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Community - Intellectual Property Rights Policy - Help

Other News on Friday, 6 March 2009
Mexico drug war hangs over spring break | International |
Notorious Kenya gang protests against police killings | International |
Israeli police again recommend charges against Olmert | International |
Millions of U.S. households not ready for HD | Technology |
Beatles fans to get videogame September 9 | Technology |
Amazon starts game trades in challenge to GameStop | Technology |
Filmmaker plans Eyeborg eye-socket camera | Technology |
Frank to push to repeal U.S. online gambling ban | Technology |
Barnes & Noble buys e-book seller Fictionwise | Technology |
Michael Jackson announces comeback | Entertainment |
Chris Brown charged with assault on Rihanna | Entertainment |
Beatles fans to get videogame September 9 | Entertainment |
U.S. gears up for digital TV switch on June 12 | Entertainment |
Florida Woman Calls 911 When McNuggets Run Out
Prince Charles Trying To Save A Pub In Wales
NASA Spacecraft Spots New Moonlet In Saturn Ring
Britain Charges More For Burial Of Corpse Of Obese People
Convicted Wife Killer Ends Life In Double Murder-Suicide
Minneapolis Company Specializes In Collecting Debt Of Dead Persons
Update: Fertility Doc Puts 'Designer Baby' Offer On Hold
HIV In Older People On The Rise
NATO renews Russia ties | International |
Sudan defies Hague court and expels aid agencies
Israeli, Turkish foreign ministers meet secretly
British Footballer Ashley Cole Arrested For Being Drunk And Disorderly
Michael Jackson Sues Auction House For Trying To Sell Unauthorized Goods
Israeli raids kill Gaza militants after Clinton visit
Markets brace for dismal US jobs report Friday
Michael Jackson Announces His Final Shows Will Take Place In London This Summer
Sudan defies Hague court, expels aid agencies | International |
Bomb kills 13 at livestock market south of Baghdad
Kepler telescope to hunt for Earth-like planets
Mexican soldiers arrested for alleged drug ties | International |
Palestinian driver goes on rampage in Jerusalem
Disney Actress Brenda Song Reaches Settlement On Her Libel Case Against Escort Company
Auditors cite 'substantial doubt' about GM's survival
Pressure mounts on Japan opposition chief to resign | International |
Drugs Charges Dropped Against Lil Wayne In Georgia
Baker, Hamilton endorse Iraq plan
Europe gets record low rates, Britain gets cash
Venezuela sees no further Cargill takeovers | International |
Mariska Hargitay Rushed To The Hospital Again
Jerusalem mayor rejects Clinton's criticism
U.S. delivers seven Somali pirate suspects to Kenya | International |
Clinton seeks international meeting on Afghanistan
South Korea tells North to withdraw airline threat | International |
Iran throws conference to support Hamas
U.S. sees lessons for Afghan war in Colombia | International |
Senate clears way to reverse polar bear rule
U.S. invites Iran to Afghan meet
Crisis could cause food shortages in rural China: report | International |
Mexico's war on drugs boosts Vancouver crime
U.S. gears up for digital TV switch on June 12 | Technology |
Clinton seeks new relationship with Russia
Beatles fans to get videogame September 9 | Technology |
Mahalo vouches for criminal hacker in its midst
Chavez says US, Brazil free to discuss Venezuela
YouTube, Universal mull video venture: reports
Successful Somali pirate attacks down: US officials
Amazon launches videogame trade-in store
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,255
Obama names government IT chief
Obama vows healthcare reform in a year
Google letting cash "pile up": CEO
Chile, Argentina lawmakers stake Antarctic claim
Pakistan attack prompts caution in US intel report
Google lets patients share health records
German MP office raided on child pornography charges
Putin warns of new Ukraine gas crisis after raid
Amazon starts game trades in challenge to GameStop
NATO agrees to restart of top level talks with Russia
Frank to push to repeal U.S. online gambling ban
Gore group backs creation of .eco domain
Pay of Nokia CEO drops 45 percent in 2008
Pay of Nokia CEO drops 45 percent in 2008
Chris Brown charged with assault on Rihanna | Entertainment |
Robin Williams to undergo heart surgery | Entertainment |
Pakistan IDs cricket attackers, security concerns mount
Michael Jackson announces comeback | Entertainment |
Robin Williams to undergo heart surgery
Philippine rebels say peace talks untenable
Sex and the City creator Star reunites with HBO | Entertainment |
Robin Williams to undergo heart surgery: statement
Gandhi auction: great-grandson expresses 'relief and delight'
Beatles fans to get videogame September 9 | Entertainment |
Ichiro's dismal World Baseball Classic opener a worry for Japan
Seinfeld stars reunite on HBO's Curb | Entertainment |
Idol gets Latino flavor with Puerto Rican Nunez | Entertainment |
A look at North Korea's parliamentary election
U2 set to lead U.S. chart despite sales slide | Entertainment |
North Korean election could hint at next leader
U.S. gears up for digital TV switch on June 12 | Entertainment |
Malaysia: Dubious diapers hid contraband smokes
Artists flee Pakistan's Swat valley to escape fanatics' threats
Alleged arms smuggler calls Thai trial 'theater'
Honda sells its Formula One team to Brawn
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Radio presenter critically injured in Philippines shooting
"Sex and the City" creator Star reunites with HBO
Coca Cola to invest two billion dollars in China: company
Chris Brown appears in court on felony charges
China central bank surprised by loan growth
U2 set to lead U.S. chart despite sales slide
Ford launches 4-door Fiesta in China
Top 13 finalists chosen on 'American Idol'
Dream cars and luxury defy the economic gloom in Geneva
China sees signs economy might be recovering
Quaid revisits LA hospital for `Oprah' episode
Seoul shares end lower, but cut loss;techs rise
Former Monkees member says he has cancer
Economic crisis hits Asian Games build-up: officials
"Seinfeld" stars reunite on HBO's "Curb"
S.Korean forex reserves more than adequate-aide
Mattel opens flagship Barbie store in Shanghai
New footage shows rare rhinos in Indonesia
RCH ALERT-New Nomura team starts Korean tech cover
Bank of China plans $17.5 bln subordinated bonds
Officials: Mauritania expels Israeli ambassador
Iran says U.S.-Iran journalist to be freed soon: report | International |
Kyrgyzstan cancels remaining air base agreements | International |
Iraq's Maliki calls for forgiveness of Saddam allies
Mauritania tells Israel embassy to leave | International |
Robert De Niro, Al Pacino Join Forces To Sue Film And Watch Company
U.N. says millions endangered by Sudan aid group expulsions
Amy Winehouse Charged With Assault For Punching Fan
Broken-legged smuggler caught with 'cocaine' cast
Mauritania tells Israel embassy to leave
Pakistan says knows kidnappers of U.N. official | International |
Peter Tork Of The Monkees Diagnosed With Rare Form Of Cancer
US sheds 651,000 jobs, unemployment at 8.1 pct
Syria says Iran-Syria outreach is "testing waters"
Bruce Willis Files $8.75 Million Countersuit Against Film Producers
Pakistani police say making progress on attackers | International |
Starting physical exercise after 50 beneficial: study
Chris Brown Charged With Assault On Rihanna, Faces Up To Four Years In Prison If Convicted
Sudan aid expulsions seen sparking conflict
Banking meltdown drags Iceland into recession
UN demands probe into Kenya activist killings
Singer Chris Brown charged over Rihanna assault
Fresh gloom engulfs Asian markets
Clinton: US has been negligent on climate change
Internet seen a growing weapon in Asian radicalization | Technology |
Seattle paper may shift to online-only: reports | Technology |
Five killed in US shooting spree
US: Dialogue with Syria not a threat to Lebanon
US-TECH Summary
US, Russian foreign ministers to hold first meeting
Internet seen a growing weapon in Asian radicalization
'Professor' Obama lances healthcare poison
Seattle paper may shift to online-only: reports
Teen spotlights battle over failing U.S. schools
Millions of U.S. consumers not ready for HD
British minister Mandelson attacked... with custard
Russia, breakaway Abkhazia to agree 49-year base lease: report
Amy Winehouse charged with assault | Entertainment |
Africa must learn from Nigeria's microwave movies | Entertainment |
Thai webmaster detained as Web censorship grows
India successfully tests missile interceptor
In China, stark reminders of ethnic unrest
South Korea urges North to retract airliner threat
Indonesia's Semeru volcano erupts
Moderate earthquake rattles Australia; no injuries
China warns of 'more severe' situation in Muslim area
Low birthrates spell doom for world's rarest rhino
Fraud-hit Satyam gets nod for 51% stake sale
Moderate earthquake hits Australia; no injuries
GM Daewoo union approves plan to defer benefits
China officials expect more unrest in Muslim west
Turkmens seek investors for agriculture sector
India's Satyam cleared to sell majority stake
Amy Winehouse charged with assault
Low garment sales, poor tourism to hit Cambodia-IMF
Jackson comeback poses more questions than answers
Honda sells F1 team to Brawn
In baby steps, Saudi women rise up
South Korea tells North to withdraw airline threat
Taiwan dollar at 1-wk high on stop-loss orders
Seoul shares end lower, but cut loss as techs rise
China indicates prepared to boost stimulus
Florida Woman Calls 911 When McNuggets Run Out
Indian Businessman Buys Mahatma Gandhi's Personal Effects For $1.8 Million
India Scrambles For Gandhi Memorabilia Being Auctioned In New York
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01