~ Reetu Bajaj ’12
When the Taliban arrived at the north-western valley of Swat, there was a ban imposed on all forms of artistic expression. The Taliban had spread ideas of extremism, and certain companies, such as music stores, lost business. Pakistan’s military offensive against the Taliban has made improvement and now that the Taliban has left Swat, the valley can finally uphold its reputation as the center of Pashtun music and culture. Now the urban people can go back to the way they were living through singing, dancing, and expressing themselves.
Swat has known to be the center of culture activities, most famously known for the birth of film star hero Badar Munir. Not only were movie watchers and music listeners dismissed by the Taliban, but women were required to remain in their houses. Musarat Ahmadzeb, a local social worker and member of the family of the former Wali of Swat, runs a center for women experienced in traditional embroidery at the Saidu Sharif area of the city. Around 300 women worked there, and Ahmadzeb remembers the good old days were women could move around freely everywhere. The Taliban also forced many Hindus, Sikhs, and Buddhists, who were once allowed to practice their religion liberally, to migrate. Now able to move back, the overall goal for citizens of Swat is to create and welcome back arts, culture, and fictional pursuits.