Plight of employed women in Swat after dislodging of Taliban

Jan 5, 2010

By Urooj Raza

Pakistani Prime Minister Mr.Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said we have taken over the area of Swat after successful military operation in Malakand division and people are taking keen interest in getting back to the normal routine.

In the light of PM s statement it seems that peace is prevailing all over the area. But the reality is quite different on ground. People are still living their lives under the threats and fears from Taliban. People who had left their homes, businesses, jobs and relatives are still reluctant to go back and the survivors of Swat do not even trust on the current statements by the resource persons of the government.

Razia a 28 years old school teacher does not want to go back to join her work. Razia has been teaching for 10 years in girl’s school of Swat. One day she was threatened by Taliban while going to school, and was told “Do not dare to step out from your home". Razia told that she was trembling with fear and had left the school. Despite of the fact that people are returning to their routines but fear in her heart still lurks.

Muhammed Jameel, husband of Razia has told that I can feel her fear & hence does not want to put her back in the danger. “If she is reluctant then I should not force her to join the job” he further added.

Like Razia there are hundred of working women in Swat who do not want to go back to their jobs. So many women have been working in cosmetics factories in Swat but after threatening by Taliban and being punished they even do not dare to go out from their homes.

Shah Bano a 22 years working women in a cosmetic Factory told that she wants to live her life without covering her head with veil but the fear of Taliban does not allow her to enjoy her basic right of freedom and feels fear to go out even with veiling her face.

There are so many other stories like these two women but the question is what kind of safety measures are taken for the protection of working women and for their rights? What types of steps have been taken by the government for the Peaceful environment in order to encourage women to get back to their schools, colleges, businesses etc?

Multilingual band of Music in Afghanistan for peace

Jan 7, 2010 By Urooj Raza Music is known as the ambassador of peace all over the world. In Afghanistan when terror of Taliban has not vanished away completely, still there is hope in so many forms of Art. People want to enjoy their lives in peace and freedom and still trying hard to run their daily routines .In war they had not even given up of dreaming and kept on moving according to their dreams & were in touch with their respective favourite Arts. Kabul dreams, a musical band is a wonderful example of this. Kabul band is 1st rock & pop musical band of Afghanistan and has been performing in other countries of Asia as well. “Because we don’t have any rock music, they listen to international bands and music from neighbouring countries like India and Pakistan. "It is a real dream to play rock music in Afghanistan" Says 19 years old vocalist of the Band. “We thought it was about time for Afghanistan to have its own rock band.” Says Ahmed a vocalist of the rocking Band. The group mixes Afghan rhythmic patterns with rock and roll music. The three vocalists belong to different parts of Afghanistan and speak in three different languages , Pushto,Dari & Uzbek. And what’s more unusual, they sing in English. They caught up with the three-piece in Delhi, where they took part in the South Asian Bands Festival, which seeks to promote regional cultural ties. Qardash – who likes indie fashion – grew up listening to Britpop bands like Radiohead and Travis. With the political turmoil which gripped Afghanistan in the 1990s, all three members sought refuge in the neighbouring countries of Uzbekistan, Pakistan and Iran, where they were influenced by the Western music they heard. “During the years of the Taliban, we were away and one positive thing for all of us was that we had an opportunity to learn music and have good facilities where we could practise,” says Ahmad, who lived in Pakistan for 10 years and played with bands producing new music. While original Afghan music is closely associated with traditional instruments like the RAbab etc, indie rock is still a new genre – but it is catching on fast among Afghan youth.“Playing rock music is a risk but we want to play in Afghanistan,” says Qardash, as he tunes his guitar. “We love our country and we want to change our younger generation, we want to make something new. Despite the challenges, this triad want to bring a musical revolution to the Islamic country, where playing rock music is considered too Western and provocative. Ahmad points out that Kabul Dreams is truly multi-ethnic, consisting of an Uzbek, Pashtun and Tajik. “Other bands around the world have lots of opportunities and facilities, but we have to do everything ourselves,” says Ahmad. “We have a single video shoot; we have to take care of everything. There is no production house that we could go to.” When Civilizations take turns into another development, nothing can stop its way. There is hope that Music will bring change and revolution splendidly in the way of Peace back to Afghanistan.		Top Stories CIA attack was a ‘revenge’ for drone killings: Alqaeda Read Full Story... Multilingual band of Music in Afghanistan for peace Read Full Story... Drone attack kills 17 in North Waziristan Read Full Story... Four security officials killed in Rawalakot suicide blast Read Full Story... 3 extremists perish in Swat skirmishes Read Full Story... Plight of employed women in Swat after dislodging of Taliban Read Full Story... Birth anniversary of ZA Bhutto being observed today Read Full Story... PM chairs cabinet’s defence committee meeting Read Full Story... US embassy reopens in Yemen after threat Read Full Story...
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