Updated12 January 2010

‘For centuries after the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS), his family and companions, Mo’mineen have been tested through many different tragedies, but their faith has never been eliminated.  Rather the message of Karbala has given strength to:
• the weak over the oppressor
• faith over desire and,
• conviction in the Day of Judgment over this world’

(A statement made by The World Federation’s partnering agency in Pakistan)

The North West Frontier Province (NWFP) in Pakistan has an estimated population of roughly 21 million that does not include the almost 1.5 million Afghan refugees and their descendants in the province. Nearly all of the inhabitants of the NWFP are Muslim where a significant minority are Shias.

The following update was recently received from The World Federation’s partnering agency in Pakistan on the situation in Parachinar and the SWAT Valley in Pakistan:

CURRENT SITUATION
Today, Muslims in Pakistan, particularly those brothers and sisters living in the NORTH WEST FRONTIER PROVINCE (NWFP) of the country continue to be treated brutally, where women are raped, children have been taken away, properties have been destroyed and their livelihoods cut-off. Social boycotts and suicide attempts on religious processions are added concerns for the Mo’mineen living in Kurram Agency (Parachinar and Hangu) and almost throughout the NWFP province.

   
     A school captured by the Taliban              Unforeseen Future

AID PROVIDED
Since 2006, The World Federation in cooperation with its partnering agency in Pakistan has been continuing efforts to help the affected peoples of the region through financial aid and rebuilding of homes and properties. 2.2 million Pakistani Rupees have been spent and more funds are required. Without the ongoing support of concerned donors, this work would not have been possible.

Recent assistance includes:
• 24 homes were completely damaged during sectarian violence; to date, 7 houses have been restored. 
• 69 homes were partially damaged during sectarian violence; to date, 13 houses have been restored.

HOW THE AID PROVIDED HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE
As a result of the assistance provided in this part of Pakistan, more and more of the beneficiaries now have renewed hope and courage to withstand the hardships that they are continuously faced with. Just knowing that other Mo’mineen are out there in different parts of the world looking after their needs and praying for their safety, they no longer feel so abandoned and neglected. In fact, people are now beginning to slowly channel their energies into rebuilding their lives where families, especially women and children are reverting back to their daily routines. Education and health are given priority. Despite all the adversities, the people seem to be committed to building a better future.

However, this is not the end to the severity of the situation. Whilst the ongoing military operation in the region is paving the way for a better environment socially, the road to peace and harmony is still far off. The SWAT Valley, after successful military operations is slowly regaining some sort of normalcy where educational institutions, businesses and government bodies are gaining momentum. 
 
Our brothers and sisters need our continued support and assistance in the areas of construction projects, education, health and securing livelihoods.

NEXT STEPS:  BUILDING A SADAAT COLONY
Plans are underway to build a Sadaat colony in the region. The project includes 40 residential houses (two rooms, a kitchen and a bath), a Mosque, a school, a health clinic, a park and shops.

The purpose of this initiative is to provide transitory housing facilities to those Saadat families who have lost their properties and/or who are forced to migrate from their homes.  These homeless families need shelter until they are rehabilitated back to their original homes. Accommodations will be given on merit basis with no rental charges. 

This project will, Inshallah, address the difficulties that so many Sadaat families are facing today.

A LETTER TO THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR PAKISTAN
On 6 January 2010, The World Federation wrote a letter to Mr Wajid Shamsul Hasan, the High Commissioner for Pakistan to protest at the lack of security provided to the Shia population in Pakistan and in particular to protect them from the recent spate of suicide bombings during Muharram Juloos processions in various parts of Pakistan.

The letter noted that since the 1980’s, the Shia Muslim Community has been subjected to brutal attacks
from extremists groups and continues to do so with impunity without any effective action from the  Government. The World Federation urged the Pakistani Government to take urgent steps to stop these carnages of innocent Shia Muslims.

For more information, please email relief@world-federation.org