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Living under duress: Swat residents subjected to many ‘dos and don’ts’

* Taliban have banned women from markets
* Nurses are the only women employees who have not received Taliban threats in Swat

By Daud Khattak

PESHAWAR: “We are living under duress these days,” a Swat-based educationist said of the people living in the restive valley of Swat.

He said this while condemning the recent threats from Taliban for closure of girls’ schools in Swat. However, after repeated talks, the Taliban have agreed to allow girls’ education at government and private institutions until class IV, he said.

He was referring to a recent meeting with the Taliban, who announced a ban on girls’ schooling from January 15. In a routine lecture on a banned FM channel, Commander Shah Dauran had warned parents to stop sending their daughters to school. Over the past two weeks, many families left the valley fearing a bleak future for their children.

Apart from the education sector, which has suffered constantly in the settled and Tribal Areas, the people of Swat have been subjected to many ‘dos and don’ts’ in recent months.

Hairdressers have been forced to stop shaving beards. ‘We are not shaving beards’ and ‘Don’t visit us to get your beards shaved’ announce handwritten notices displayed at every barbershop in Mingora, headquarters of the restive Swat district.

Markets: Taliban have also banned women from markets. “Women are not allowed in this market,” reads a banner installed in front of a three-storey market, which was once called ‘Women’s Market’. “We were dealing in women’s garments and cosmetics and were doing a reasonable business. However, we cannot even earn enough money to pay the rent and electricity charges of the shop since the ban has been imposed on women’s entry in the market,” said a shop owner.

Another shop owner said he had not seen a woman in the whole Mingora Bazaar in the past month. “They [Taliban] have ordered the killing of women seen in market areas,” he said. Despite being a remote area, Mingora city was once known for offering best medical facilities. However, many of them, especially female doctors now prefer to go to other cities following threats from the Taliban.

Nurses: Nurses serving in government and private hospitals are the only women employees who have not received any threat in Swat. However, fearing a ban, they have started to wear veils to avoid being noticed by the Taliban.

The market of dancing girls, also known as the Bundh Bazaar, has also been closed following the recent killing of a female dancer. The area, once known for its glistening lights and sound of music from every house, remains dark now. Many of the girls have left the famous street for cities like Karachi and Lahore, while others have shut their businesses.

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