Homeless in northwest Pakistan

Posted By P.J. Aroon Thursday, March 26, 2009 - 5:38 PM Share

Kacha Gari refugee camp near Peshawar, Dec. 7, 2008 Pakistan has engaged in its own "war on terror" against Islamist militants in the northwest part of the country. The collateral damage: at least 450,000 Pakistanis forced from their homes, according to the UNHCR. In Swat Valley, meanwhile, the Taliban effectively controls the region (sharia courts started operating last week), prompting many to flee to camps for internally displaced persons. Increasingly, the people of Swat are having to choose: Taliban or tents.

The fighting and the plight of displaced Pakistani civilians are the subject of this week's FP photo essay: "Pakistan's New Homeless."

Meanwhile, the New York Times reports that U.S. government sources say that the Taliban in Afghanistan is getting "direct support" from members of Pakistan's military intelligence agency. A spokesman for Pakistan's Foreign Ministry, however, dismissed the report as "sensational journalism."

For other FP photo essays, check out:

Photo: TARIQ MAHMOOD/AFP/Getty Images

EXPLORE:SOUTH ASIA, PAKISTAN, PHOTOGRAPHS

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LOWCARB

6:20 AM ET

March 27, 2009

thank you for the information

thank you for sharing, too bad what happens to these guys

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